The Warriors went on a 11-0 run in the last 3 minutes of Game 3 to defeat the Cavaliers, 118-113. "KD", was LeBron's simple answer. Right now, the Cavaliers are seeking answers after dropping two games decisively at Oracle Arena.
There doesn't seem to be anything that rattles them, so it should be no surprise that on the verge of being swept by a Warriors team James called a "juggernaut" and "beast" before the Finals began, Cleveland dug down deep again. Durant had 31 points, eight rebounds and four assists while scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter in Game 3.
An unreal first half for Cleveland. They made history coming back from a 3-1 deficit one year ago; they'd rather win it without overcoming even greater odds this season. "Down 0-2, going back home, you have to live with those odds". It might not be competitive, but I'm sure we can find something to make the rest of this series - whether two games or more - entertaining for everyone.
"But I didn't tweet that", Smith repeated after his 16-point performance in Game 3.
But Cleveland hung tough, thanks in large part to LeBron James (27 first half points) and Kyrie Irving (17 first half points).
The Cavs led, 115-96, after three quarters. Kevin Durant has chipped in 34 points per bout for the Warriors. Both LeBron and Kevin Durant, who are normally friendly, got into a seemingly aggressive argument at half-court while the refs were reviewing a play.
They will return to Oakland for Game 5 on Monday, June 12. Irving came into the Warriors series on a tear - averaging nearly 25.8 points on 62 percent shooting in the Eastern Conference Finals, including 42 points in Game 4 when James was saddled with foul trouble.
Kevin Durant is going to be in Golden State as long as he wants.
Besides his play on offense, Irving has also been tasked with defending All-Star guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
National Basketball Association finals Game 4: Golden State Warriors v Cleveland Cavaliers
And James has once again been criticized for not being more aggressive late in Game 3 , when he made a pass to Kyle Korver. When James finally won his first ring, beating Durant and the Thunder in 2012, most of the criticism went away.
If not for Cleveland's Kyle Korver missing a 3-pointer in the final minute of Game 3, the series would be 2-2.
James recorded his ninth Finals triple double, passing Magic Johnson for No. 1 on the all-time list, and passed Michael Jordan for No. 3 on the all-time Finals scoring list.
He made his first visit in 2007 during his original stay in Cleveland, but the Cavs fell to San Antonio.
James is on pace to become the first player to average a triple-double over an entire Finals.
While most of the star-power comes from the wing positions in this year's Finals matchup - the dirty work being done in the trenches is just as vital to the outcome.
Stephen Curry finally has his first field goal of Game 4.
One last note on Cleveland's 49-point first quarter: The last time a team scored more than that in a first quarter was 1990, when Phoenix dropped 50 on Denver.
The Cavaliers don't need Thompson to light up the scoreboard, but they do need him to crash the boards - especially on the offensive end, where he leads the NBA Playoffs.
Smith - like the rest of the Cavs - is by no means giving up despite being one game away from losing the National Basketball Association championship, but the shooting guard knows better than to tweet out such a cocky statement like "Cavs in 7".
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