Now, as the Warriors try to close this series out, the focus will be squarely on Curry until the Warriors win the championship - or until they somehow allow the Cavaliers to engineer what would be the biggest comeback in National Basketball Association history for a second consecutive year.
According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, someone paid $133,000 for two courtside seats to Game 5 in Oracle Arena in Oakland, a new record National Basketball Association purchase.
Whether it's extending a season with a pair of 40-point performances or hitting the series-deciding 3-pointer in a Game 7 win a year ago, Irving's already stellar game has risen to another level whenever the Cavs have faced elimination.
With any luck, Green and the Warriors will avoid having to return to Cleveland with a win in Game 5 on Monday. When he's extending the floor and hitting those 3s, it opens the floor for everybody. But it is Curry's ridiculous, mind-bending shooting ability that still causes defenses to be on high alert the second Curry steps over halfcourt, and what has turned Golden State's offense into an unstoppable juggernaut the past three seasons. The Cavaliers are facing a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs. A record for most points in any playoff quarter, and in a half.
"Different team, man, different team", Curry said.
The Cavaliers aren't going down in Game 5 of the NBA Finals without a fight. Even Kevin Durant's sniping from the outside, which in Game 4 won the day for GSW, mostly misfired.
The Warriors still have ample chances to win their second title in three seasons over the Cavs, something they failed to do last season. "But there should be no excuse in our home building playing at home".
Can LeBron's Cavs Come Back From Another 3-1 Finals Deficit?
If the Cavaliers can orchestrate another comeback, they would become the first repeat winners since the Miami Heat in 2012-13. James said after Game 3 that it takes an A-plus-plus game to beat the Warriors , and the Cavs delivered one Friday.
Not exactly questions you'd associate with elite level competition, but the 38-year-old believes it can help you get a better understanding of their game and how to counteract their strongest points. That certainly appeared to be the case in this game, as he hit both Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson in the face on two separate plays, both of which could easily have been whistled for flagrant fouls.
Shumpert said the physical nature of the defense against Curry isn't created to bully him into submission.
The Cavaliers have outscored the Warriors with LeBron on the floor in these Finals, and have been destroyed with him on the bench. While LeBron James finished with a tiple-double (31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds), it was Irving who led the way.
"They're some special players, and they make some unbelievable plays".
The timing of Green's declaration couldn't be better.
On Monday night, the Warriors will try again to close out their second championship in three years with the fiery Green on the court to start Game 5 this time.
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