A sluggish start to Game Three cost the Golden State Warriors a chance to move within a win of a second consecutive National Basketball Association title and could ultimately prove to be the turning point in their Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Despite a 120-90 blowout loss to Cleveland on Wednesday, Golden State owns a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series entering game four Friday (Saturday in Manila) with the scene shifting back to California for game five on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
The Cavs had three players – James, Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith – each reach 20 points in Game 3, which is three more such outings than the Warriors have gotten from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in this series.
Warriors Klay Thompson accused Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov of dirty play following a collision that left him with an injured thigh.
He made all the right moves past year, a lineup change after the first three games of the 2015 Finals against Cleveland turning the tide and helping the Warriors turn a 2-1 series deficit into a trophy celebration after six games.
Game 4 is Friday night in Cleveland.
“I never got deterred”, James said.
Well, Cleveland had to compete in Game 3, and they did so. Now we lose a game and these become huge issues.
“I just think it’s two words, physicality and aggressiveness”, Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said.
For his part, James said his approach will not change: “Just try to go out there and play the game that I love to play, trust the work I’ve put into it and let the chips fall where they may, and I did the same thing last night”. Knowing the magnitude of the game and knowing the challenges that we face going into Game 3, we needed a full team effort, and he was there in spirit, and we just knew that we had to take care of business for him, and we did that. They were hungrier than us tonight.
So, how can they turn the best-of-seven series around after being blown out in Games 1 and 2? Before the game, Bron’ fired up his teammates with a clear message: “Look the man in front of you and do your f-king job, and follow my lead”.
One of the biggest stories going into the game was the absence of Kevin Love, still working through the NBA’s concussion recovery protocol. Bringing him off the bench now can go one of two ways – it will either take some of the pressure off him or it will damage his confidence.
“I know he definitely wanted to play”, said Irving, who scored 30 points in Game 3. “It was that “I hate that I’m going through this” moment, “I feel like I’m letting you guys down” moment, without him actually even saying it”.
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“When a great player like that isn’t playing, guys need to step in and play at a higher level”, Irving said. Cleveland also managed to pull down 17 offensive rebounds which most of the game led to a basket. “That’s all right. We’re still up 2-1”. “That’s how we have to play”. “They do a great job of the ball moving, and when you allow those guys to move with freedom of space, they’re very risky. We’re going to come with that approach and give it all”.
