NBA FEATS, FACTS AND FIGURES 5: DURANT SHINES TO GIVE WARRIORS 3-0 FINALS EDGE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Jun 2018
The Golden State Warriors are one win away from their third NBA championship in four years after winning 110-102 in Game 3 at the homecourt of the Cleveland Cavaliers to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 43 points and gave the insurance with a three-pointer 49.8 seconds remaining in the game.
* * *
LeBron James led the Cavs offensive with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
* * *
"That was amazing what he did out there tonight," said coach Steve Kerr of Durant. "Some of those shots, I don't think anybody in the world can hit those but him."
* * *
No team in the NBA has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.
* * *
Cleveland had the early lead of 16-4 in the first half, highlighted by James throwing a pass to himself through the backboard and catching the ball ending with a dunk that brought the house down.The official Twitter account of the NBA referees tweeted to confirm that James' pass to himself off the backboard was legal.
* * *
Cleveland led by six at end of the half, but the Warriors took their turn in the third quarter, outscoring the Cavaliers 31-23 to take an 83-81 lead into the fourth quarter.
* * *
The final quarter was hotly contested until Durant delivered to save the game for the Dubs in the final minute.
* * *
Stephen Curry suffered an anemic performance of 11 points after breaking some scoring records in Game 2.
* * *
Last year Golden State were on the same situation with 3-0 lead against the Cavaliers, and even if they lost Game 4 they clinched the NBA title in Game 5.
* * *
James got the from help from Kevin Love who finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Rodney Hood scored 15 points off the bench.
* * *
The Warriors were leading 2-0 in last year's Finals when Durant buried a 3-pointer from the left side of the floor to erase the Cavaliers chances with 45.3 seconds left. They were again leading 2-0 on Wednesday night when Durant once again sank a 3-pointer from the left side of the floor that once again erased the Cavaliers chances with 49.8 seconds left. It was practically the shot that may have unofficially ended the NBA season in favor of the Golden State. Durant's last three-pointer was almost on the same location as the one from last year which made Game 3 ended almost identically as last year's.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025