By: Kevin Jones
CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 39 points, the Cavaliers played their best game of the series — and…
…it still wasn’t enough.
The Warriors took a commanding 3-0 series lead Wednesday night in the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena, blowing past the Cavaliers 118-113.
Golden State trailed the entire fourth quarter, and ball movement ceased in a star-studded, isolation-based finish. Kevin Durant hit an unbelievably icy go-ahead 3-pointer with 45.3 seconds left to put the Warriors up 114-113. It was their first lead since the third quarter. Start engraving the Finals MVP trophy with his name on it.
Andre Iguodala blocked a game-tying attempt from James in a shocking turn of events to win the game.
Right when the third quarter started, the Cavaliers took control of the game with a 13-5 run. It erased an eight-point halftime deficit and flipped the direction of the game. Kyrie Irving torched Golden State’s interior defense for 16 points in the quarter. Irving finished with 38 points in what was arguably the best game of his career.
Steph Curry and Durant played their roles. Durant scored 31 points on 18 shots while Curry had 26 points and 13 rebounds.
A 21-point first half explosion from Klay Thompson paced the Warriors in a frantic first half. Thompson finished with 30 points.
Draymond Green was whistled for a technical foul in the second quarter after arguing with an official. He played the entire game in foul trouble and was a non-factor in Game 3.
As I wrote on Tuesday, James played like Michael Jordan and not Magic Johnson. James relentlessly attacked the rim, hit four 3s and nearly willed the Cavaliers to a victory. The rest of his teammates, excluding Irving, will be barbecued the next two days. Tristan Thompson, in particular, has been an utter failure in this series.
The Warriors committed 18 turnovers. Shooting 16-for-33 from downtown masked what was a sloppy ball-handling night from Golden State.
Game 4 is Friday in Cleveland. It’ll likely be a funeral for the Cavaliers.
