Jason Miller/Getty Images/AFP
By Jay Rosquites
EBC Florida Bureau
(Eagle News) – Time was a major factor in determining if the Golden State Warriors would pull off some playoff magic in game three of the NBA Finals.
Late in the fourth quarter the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed to be off to a comfortable lead until the Warriors went on an 11-0 run. With 45 seconds left, Kevin Durant pulled up and made a 3-pointer to take a 114-113 lead . On the next possession, Kyrie Irving attempted an isolation field goal but missed. The Warriors rebounded the ball, and the Cavaliers were forced to foul. The Warriors closed out the game at the foul line and chalked up a convincing 118-113 win.
This was the Warriors’ first game three win in Cleveland in their NBA finals trilogy with the Cavaliers. Now, with the opportunity to be the first team in history to go 16-0 in the playoffs, the Warriors look to sweep the Cavaliers in the finals.
“It’s all about staying locked in and finishing the series,” Draymond Green said about being up 3-0 in the series.
Warriors Head Coach, Steve Kerr expressed his confidence in the defensive game play in his team.
With the strategy of allowing Lebron James and Kyrie Irving to play through lots of minutes, Kerr said, “Fatigue will play a role.”
When asked if anything changed defensively in the closing moments, Kerr answered, “we stayed with it and our defense finally kicked in.”
The Warriors will look to close out the series on Friday and be the next team to sweep in the Finals since the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs , who coincidentally also played the Cavaliers.
