CLEVELAND -- The Warriors are one win away from sweeping their way to back-to-back championships, and for that they can thank Kevin Durant.
Durant delivered 43 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in Wednesday night to lift the Warriors to a 110-102 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
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The Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and can close it out with a win in Game 4 on Friday. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit.
The Warriors survived subpar offensive performances from Klay Thompson (10 points, 4-of-11 shooting) and Stephen Curry (11 points, 3-of-16) but got 10 points apiece from Draymond Green, JaVale McGee and Jordan Bell.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Thompson was struggling with his offense. Curry was struggling mightily with his offense. Durant did not struggle. He had everybody’s back.
Durant’s line: 43 points (15-of-23 from the field, 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, 7-of-7 from the line), 13 rebounds and seven assists. He played 43 minutes and was a team-best plus-15.
Golden State Warriors
TURNING POINT:
When the Cavaliers went up 61-54 on a 3-point play by LeBron James with 11:38 left in the third quarter, the Warriors responded with a 15-3 run -- in the process taking their first lead, 63-61, on a pair of free throws by Curry -- to go up 69-64 on a Draymond Green layup with 7:44 left in the quarter.
The Warriors took an 83-81 lead into the fourth quarter. Though the game remained tight over the final 12 minutes, Cleveland never led for more than 17 seconds.
INJURY UPDATE:
Warriors: G/F Andre Iguodala (L lateral leg contusion) was listed as questionable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff.
Cavaliers: No injuries listed.
WHAT’S NEXT:
Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at Quicken Loans Arena. Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4 p.m. Pacific, with postgame coverage immediately after the final horn. Tipoff of the ABC telecast is set for 6:05.
Game | Result/Schedule |
---|---|
Game 1 | Warriors 124, Cavs 114 (OT) |
Game 2 | Warriors 122, Cavs 103 |
Game 3 | Warriors 110, Cavs 102 |
Game 4 | Cleveland -- Friday, June 8 at 6pm |
Game 5 | Oakland -- Monday, June 11 at 6pm |
Game 6 | Cleveland -- Thursday, June 14 at 6pm |
Game 7 | Oakland -- Sunday, June 17 at 5pm |