LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combined for 77 points on Thursday night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, but it wasn’t enough for the Cavaliers to win their first game of the series. Cleveland’s offense came to a screeching halt in the final three minutes of the game as they were held scoreless by the Warriors, who rattled off an 11-0 closing run to win 118-113, led by seven Kevin Durant points.
The Cavs’ superstars had carried them to a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but fatigue seemed to become a factor late in the game as both Irving and James struggled to get to the rim as they had done so effectively through the first three and a half quarters. After the game, the question on everyone’s mind was, “What do you have to do to beat this Warriors team?”
This was a Cavs’ onslaught of epic proportions, and the Warriors just rope-a-doped Cleveland until James and Irving were worn out. LeBron was asked for his thoughts on playing the Warriors and what it takes to beat them if this Cavs performance couldn’t, and all James could do was tip his cap and call for an “A++” effort.
LeBron James on 2017 Warriors: "Probably the most firepower I've played in my career. … You got to play like A++ [to beat them]." pic.twitter.com/BZBnblA4n9
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 8, 2017
James noted the firepower that the Warriors have, with three lethal scorers in Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson — who each had at least 26 points in Game 3. Those three apply so much pressure that the slightest mistake in rotations or transition defense often leads to three points — that was evidenced best on a fourth quarter possession where Durant and Curry got triple teamed in a pick-and-roll situation and kicked the ball to Thompson in the corner for a crucial three to pull within a possession of the Cavs.
Cleveland enters Game 4 down 3-0 and it seems as though they understand their fate.It’s hard to get four straight games of “A++” effort and quality, and even James seems resigned to the fact that back-to-back titles aren’t happening. That’s not to say they will roll over by any stretch. James will play his hardest, as he’s done all series, and do his best to win, and if Irving can put on another sublime show they might be able to get the job done and force the series back to Oakland. However, it appears as if the reality of facing this Warriors team has set in on the Cavs — well, everyone except for J.R. Smith’s Twitter hacker.
