The Cavaliers had a chance to beat the Warriors in Cleveland in Game 3 on Wednesday. LeBron James was incredible, Kyrie Irving was his best self, and ... nope. Kevin Durant erased the Cavaliers’ six-point lead in the final minutes, and the Warriors are up 3-0 in the NBA Finals, one win away from going 16-0 in the playoffs for the first time in NBA history.
The Warriors are perfect
Good morning. We have that and more in Thursday’s NBA newsletter.
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As Tim Cato writes, this game had everything you could want from a Warriors-Cavs Finals game. Kevin Durant showed exactly why the Warriors needed him. Andre Iguodala had a game-sealing strip on LeBron, who last year blocked Iguodala in a critical moment of Game 7.
LeBron says the Warriors have more “firepower” than any team he’s ever seen. Yes. Steve Kerr said Kevin Durant knows this is his moment. Yes. J.R. Smith tweeted and immediately deleted “Cavs in 7” right after the game. Yes. (Not “yes” as in “Cavs in 7,” but “yes” as in “J.R. Smith is amazing.”)
There’s a lot to unpack, and there will be lots more to unpack if the Warriors finish the job on Friday. But wow. Golden State. Unreal.
The Warriors are playing for immortality on Friday. Also, they are playing to avoid turning this into a 3-1 series.
How the Warriors have neutralized Tristan Thompson.
Before his missed a corner three in crunch time, Kyle Korver dunked in an NBA Finals game. Now we’ve seen everything.
Charlotte Wilder argued before Game 3 that the only way to make the Finals memorable is for the Warriors to sweep. I’m frankly shocked she didn’t jinx us into a Cavaliers Game 3 win, to be honest.
We may have an NBA coaching change this year after all: Fred Hoiberg is reportedly a serious candidate to replace Thad Matta at The Ohio State University. How telling is it that a well-paid Chicago Bulls coach might be willing to flee to B1G Basketball? This is how weird the Bulls are.
Lonzo Ball worked out for the Lakers. He didn’t wear his own signature shoes. We have three possible reasons why.
David Aldridge on LeBron’s secure legacy.
Yes, it would be a very bad idea for the Kings to package picks to trade up from No. 5 to draft De’Aaron Fox.
Really cool story from Katie Baker on Pam McGee, legendary baller and JaVale’s mother.
And finally: rest in peace, Todd Harris.
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