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The Golden State Warriors famously blew a 3-1 lead in last year’s NBA Finals. This year, they are finding themselves in a similar place. The Cavs lost the first three games, leading many to believe the Warriors would sweep. However, after Friday’s 21-point win, many wonder if LeBron James and the gang can come behind again. Although the answer is technically yes, Cleveland must play great every game.
Golden Stats
IT'S GAME DAY at 5:30 PM #NBAFinals #StrengthInNumbers @warriors #CavsWarriors watch it with us at Vintage Wine Merchants on @SantanaRow. pic.twitter.com/2d48Kbz1ze
— VintageWineMerchants (@VintageWineSR) June 12, 2017
Something many Cleveland fans forget is that the Warriors created last year’s 3-1 lead in five games. This year, they did it in four. This means Cleveland needs to beat Golden State in four straight games. But their longest losing streak this season was three.
While the Dubs only lost 15 games this season, the Cavs lost 31. Last year, the Warriors had Steph Curry with the 3-point shot. They had Draymond Green, who recorded 769 rebounds. They had Klay Thompson and his 22 points per game. This year, Curry, Green and Thompson have similar stats. The Warriors also signed Kevin ‘KD’ Durant for this season… self explanatory. The Warriors may be playing the 2015 Cavs, but the Cavs are playing the 2017 Warriors.
Don’t Count Out the Cavs
Cavaliers: trying to become 1st team to ever overcome 3-0 deficit in NBA Finals. Cavs at Warriors, 9 ET on ABC. pic.twitter.com/kyLcaVmO5x
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 12, 2017
Last year, the Cavaliers became the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit. If anyone can overcome a 3-0 deficit, it’s the Cavaliers. LeBron James is objectively one of the best basketball players ever. A G.O.A.T contender can make all the difference. But, the other Cavaliers must follow him like sheep. Kyrie Irving scored 19 points in Game 2 and 40 in Game 4. Kevin Love jumped from landing 14 percent to 75 percent of his three’s from Game 3 to Game 4. Other Cavs include J.R Smith and Tristan Thompson who made noticeable gains in the fourth game of the series. LeBron has averaged a triple-double throughout the series. (The only one to ever do so, at that).
What’s Next?
Tonight, the Cavs need to trust James, block the Dubs, and play with that Game 4 passion. If they do, they could win tonight and maybe the series. If they don’t, Warriors in 5 and Durant MVP.Tip off is at 9 p.m., radio coverage starts at 8 p.m. on ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF. Television coverage is on ABC.
