Game 3 Preview: Can the Cavaliers protect home court?
The 2015 NBA finals have already brought us a lot of excitement with no shortage of drama. It’s always interesting when a game goes into overtime; but when it’s the finals and two phenomenal teams are battling it out, it’s downright insane. These finals have been full of ‘moments to remember’ so far. You can’t help but ask yourself; can it get any better?
Well, we certainly hope it does. With real life careers, legacies and bodies on the line, who wants to watch action movies anymore? The NBA finals have it all. Stories of stepping up when your army has lost a few soldiers, of bringing down a dominating king with your brother in arms, and a rookie believing in himself and successfully doing a veteran’s job.
The story of the NBA finals is only half written if you leave out LeBron James. He’s been phenomenal in these two games doing everything in his power to bring his team up. Averaging 40+ points and 8.5 assists in this series, he could very well be on his way for the finals MVP award. If Cleveland loses the title and James still wins finals MVP, he’ll be the second player to get that award from the losing side since Jerry West.
The splash brothers have given a good two games averaging a combined 50 points per game. They’ve picked each other up when needed and made great plays. Sure, Golden State lost Game 2; but we have to keep in mind that they overcame an 11 point deficit against LeBron’s Cavs in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Not a lot of teams could’ve done that, especially on a night of exceptional defense by Irving’s replacement Dellavedova. They have to keep their head up heading into Game 3 to ensure they come back from a loss at home.
Cleveland must be happy after that win on the road; they have every reason to be. They see a ray of hope in spite of losing their star point guard for the series and maybe this is exactly what they needed. The team gave LeBron some help but knowing him, he’ll rightly ask more from them. Matthew’s primary assignment is defending Steph Curry, so he doesn’t face any music; but the rest of the Cavs have to give a better offensive efficiency. They have to keep in mind that they lost the 11 point lead in the 4th and just be happy that Curry missed his jumper in overtime.
Unbelievable Game 2 stats
GSW, who had the highest 3P% in the regular season (39.8%), scored only 22.9% from beyond the arc in Game 2.
The Cavaliers’ 3P% in Game 2 was better than their FG%.
This was the first time the first two games of the NBA finals went to overtime.
Stephen Curry recorded the 3rd worst FG percentage by an MVP in NBA finals history in Game 2 with 21.7%.
Coming up
The Cavaliers will go back to Ohio and face the Warriors on their home court. Cleveland has never won a championship and we’re positive that it’s going to be loud (to say the least). James has an emotional team backing him up and the atmosphere should help them fire up. They have to respect the win they somehow scraped and give an even better performance at home.
Curry’s Warriors will make sure they’re ready with all weapons for Game 3. Golden State has to come back from Curry’s Game 2 struggle and jump back to basic pick and roles to help the MVP get a mismatch. Role players like D. Green and A. Bogut have to come up in Game 3 to give their Warriors the edge that they will most definitely need on the road.
Saying that we’re looking forward to a good game is surely an understatement. With the scores tied at 1, both teams are motivated to put everything on the line to get the lead.
10th June, 6:30 am, Sony Six
Make sure you listen to your alarm.