KEVIN Durant had been somewhat of an afterthought in the opening two games of the NBA Finals.
Despite recording 26 points, six assists and nine rebounds in Game 1, and an ultra-efficient 26 points, seven assists and nine rebounds in Game 2, the reigning NBA Finals MVP had to cede the spotlight to LeBron James and Steph Curry.
In Game 3, he returned to centrestage with a vengeance.
Durant had 43 points, seven assists and 13 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors moved within one win of repeating as NBA champions with a 110-102 win.
On a night Curry may have cost himself a chance at winning his first Finals MVP as he made just 3/16 shots — including 1/10 three-point attempts — to finish with 11 points, Durant was everything Golden State needed as they fought back from a 13-point second quarter deficit.
“I saw LeBron score 29 out of 30 against the Pistons, I said that was the best playoff performance I’d seen since I’ve been on television,” NBA legend Charles Barkley told NBA TV. “This was a close second.”
“He won this single-handedly … that was a spectacular performance,” Barkley added. “There’s nothing you can do, he’s a scoring machine.”
This was a masterful performance in every sense.
“Some of those shots, I don’t think anybody in the world but him can hit them,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
James’ statline was almost as impressive as he finished with a 33-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple double but his outside shot (1/6 threes) wasn’t as reliable as other games this postseason.
He also received more help than normal as Kevin Love (20 points, 13 rebounds) and surprise packet Rodney Hood (15 points, six rebounds) played well.
None of Durant’s teammates scored more than 11 as he found himself in a solo role James has played so often. He was good enough to carry his team to a win which sets Golden State up for a sweep on Saturday (AEST) and earned high praise from James
“He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played against and this league has ever seen,” James said. “He’s a scorer and he’s an assassin.”
James hit a three-pointer to make it 101-100 before Durant fed Andre Iguodala for a dunk and then dropped in a 33-footer.
“Hold Steph to 11 points and Klay (Thompson) to 10, you would think you would win that game,” Cavs coach Ty Lue said.
JR Smith (13 points, three steals) was better than he was on the road but Kyle Korver (0/4 for 0 points) continues to be a non-factor and Jeff Green also only managed three points in 18 minutes. “It’s been a tough series for Kyle,” Love said. “We need to find ways to get him shots.”
EVERY time LeBron James threatened to give Cleveland a stranglehold on Game 3, Kevin Durant fired back to keep Golden State in range.
The first half showcased the talents of two of the best basketballers in the world as James (14 points, nine assists, six rebounds) drove Cleveland to a 58-52 lead.
It was as large as 13 points during the second quarter as Kevin Love (15 points, 10 rebounds), JR Smith (10 points) and Rodney Hood (six points, in his first meaningful minutes in the series) also fired for the home team.
But whenever it felt like it was getting out of hand Durant (24 points, eight rebounds) was there to step up for the Warriors.
LeBron and KD go head to head. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)Source:AP
James threw the ball off the backboard to himself to complete a one-man alley oop.
JR Smith was also feeling good, putting his nightmare trip to Golden State behind him by scoring seven early points to push Cleveland to a 22-14 lead.
Finals MVP favourite Stephen Curry picked up two fouls before he scored a point as the Warriors — including Draymond Green who picked up a technical — showed their frustration at the officiating.
Former Cav Channing Frye took issue with the amount of yapping Green was doing.
These delivery men were obviously predicting a different result.
A giant L was dropped off at the Cavs’ arena before Game 3 in a hilariously ominous sign for the home team’s chances.
But Cleveland can find comfort in a 8-1 record at home in these playoffs. The Cavs lost Game 1 of the first round against Indiana but have been perfect — and sometimes dominant — since. The Cavaliers have outscored opponents by an average of 12 points per game in their last eight home contests.
There are also some milestones awaiting LeBron James in Game 3. When he takes the floor, it’ll be for the 238th playoff game of his career. That will give him outright possession of fourth place in NBA history, breaking his tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in that category.
And if he scores 30 in Game 3 — or any postseason game for the rest of his career — he will break a tie with Michael Jordan for the most 30-point playoff games in league history. James and Jordan both have scored at least that many 109 times in playoff games.
For the visitors, Draymond Green is about to break one of Wilt Chamberlain’s records.
No one in Warriors history has more postseason rebounds than Chamberlain, who grabbed 922 in his time with the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors. Green has 921 playoff rebounds so far in his career.
Of course, it bears noting that Chamberlain grabbed his in only 36 games. Wednesday night’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals will be the 100th playoff game of Green’s tenure with Golden State. He’ll be the second Warrior to play in 100 postseason contests, joining only Klay Thompson.
And if Stephen Curry makes one 3-pointer in Game 3, he will become the first player in NBA history with a 3-pointer in 43 consecutive playoff road games. He’s currently tied with Reggie Miller as the only shooters to do that in 42 straight postseason contests away from home.
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