Must-read recap: Game 3 not worth the wait, everything is terrible

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WHAT HAPPENED?

The Cavaliers absolutely smoked the Celtics, 116-86, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The game was a blowout almost immediately, with the Celtics never really threatening to even cut the defecit to single digits from when the Cavs built their lead in the first quarter. The Celtics now lead the series, 2-1, and are 1-5 on the road this postseason. 

WHY WAS THIS GAME DIFFERENT THAN THE FIRST TWO? 

Because the Celtics were sloppy with the ball and George Hill actually did something for once. Hill had 13 first-half points to add to LeBron James' 19. The Celtics turned the ball over 15 times, which is more than they had combined in Games 1 and 2. Also, the Cavs hit a bazillion 3s (17, to be exact).

DID THE CAVS STINK ON DEFENSE? 

The Celtics weren't turning the ball over left and right on their own. Cleveland looked far from the group that gave up defensively in the series' first two games. That said, the Cavs been so bad defensively this postseason that it's hard to imagine they'll clamp down on the Celtics for the rest of the series. Cleveland was desperate and Boston couldn't handle it on either end of the floor. 

WORST MOMENT OF MY LIFE OF THE GAME 

With the Celtics down, 17-4, in the first quarter, Aron Baynes went for a dunk and LeBron blocked it. Then LeBron went down the other end and hit a 3. It was deeply, deeply upsetting.

BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE OF THE GAME

The end. Can't believe we waited a whole year after Game 2 for that. 

HOW MUCH DID THE CAVALIERS MISS KYRIE? 

LeBron was great as usual and he actually appeared to have a supporting cast Saturday. Hell, even J.R. Smith (11 points) had a pulse. 

HOW MUCH DID THE CELTICS MISS KYRIE?

Oh lord did the Celtics need an adult. 

ASTONISHING STAT OF THE GAME

All five Cleveland starters finished with double-digit points. Remember, no Cavs starter not named LeBron or Kevin Love hit double digits in either of the first two games of the series. 

INFURIATING STAT OF THE GAME

Al Horford had zero field goal attempts in the first quarter.

HEARTBREAKING STAT OF THE GAME

Jaylen Brown made just two field goals through the first three quarters of the game.

WHICH KEVIN LOVE WAS KEVIN LOVE? 

Not really in the mood for Kevin Love talk right now. The Celtics lost by 30. 

LEBRON VS. TATUM CONN SMYTHE WATCH

Tatum led the Celtics with 18 points, but by the time he really got going late in the first quarter, the Cavaliers had already built a lead from which they would not look back. LeBron had 27 points, five rebounds and 12 assists. 

JOKE I DIDN'T GET TO MAKE BECAUSE OF THE GAME'S RESULT 

Something about how LeBron, by not scoring 100 points a night, was not being a good teammate and picking up guys like Hill and Smith, who presumably would combine for three points again like they did in Game 2. Nope, they combined for 24 and the Cavs ran away with the game. Miserable.

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