Leading the series 2-0, the Warriors head to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
Warriors at CavaliersGame 3Wednesday, June 76:00 p.m.Quicken Loans Arena
WATCH: ABC
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, ESPN RadioMore Listening Options
ON TO CLEVELAND
After taking the first two games of the series, the Warriors head to Cleveland for the next two games of the NBA Finals, beginning with Game 3 on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (Pacific). Watch the action on ABC, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game, ESPN Radio and the Warriors Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
Stephen Curry logged a triple-double and Kevin Durant tallied 33 points and 13 boards as a strong second half lifted the Dubs to a 132-113 win over the Cavs in Game 2. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCEPlayoff Ranks
GSW
2-0
1st in West
118.9 PPG (1st)
46.6 RPG (2nd)
28.4 APG (1st)
CLE
0-2
2nd in East
114.8 PPG (2nd)
42.7 RPG (9th)
22.1 APG (6th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Zaza Pachulia
CLE: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: None. Team Notes
CLE: Edy Tavares (right hand fracture) is out. Team Notes
DURANT'S DOMINANCE
There’s a lot to unpack from Kevin Durant’s dominant two-way performance in Game 2. First and foremost, he led Golden State with 33 points, combining with Stephen Curry (32 points) to form the first Warriors tandem ever to both score at least 30 points in the same Finals game. Consequently, with those 33 points, Durant joined Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to score at least 25 points in each of their first seven Finals games. Now, let’s add in the rest of his stats. In addition to his 33 points, Durant recorded a team-best 13 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and three steals to become the first player ever to post those numbers in a playoff game and just the fourth player in Finals history with a 30-point, five-block game. The five blocks tied his personal playoff career-high, and the eight combined blocks and steals represented the most he’d ever had in a playoff game. He was thoroughly impressive on both ends of the court, and even provided the Warriors with some highly productive minutes at center when Draymond Green went to the bench with foul trouble. He used his length to shoot over defenders on offense and to contest and change countless shots on defense. He has raised his game to meet the demands of the moment, and so far, the Cavaliers haven’t had an answer for him.
TEAM PLAYOFF LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Curry (28.8)
REB: Green (8.6)
AST: Green (6.7)
CLE
PTS: James (32.0)
REB: Love (10.9)
AST: James (7.5)
THE LONG (RANGE) GAME
In Game 1, the Warriors made one more three-pointer than the Cavaliers on two additional attempts. In Game 2, however, Golden State made more than twice as many treys as Cleveland, and that made all the difference in the outcome. The Warriors shot 18-of-43 (.419) from three-point range in Game 2, compared to 8-of-29 (.276) shooting from the Cavs. That comes out to a 30-point advantage in points off three-pointers for Golden State in a game they won by 19, and the Warriors’ 18 threes set a new league record for most treys in a Finals game. Golden State’s proficiency from long-range proved necessary due to the fact that Cleveland held a 60-40 advantage in points in the paint and a nine-point advantage in points off turnovers. Dating back to the regular season, the Warriors are undefeated this year when shooting better than 36.0 percent from beyond the arc, and if they’re able to get hot from long distance again in Game 3, it could be the decisive factor in matchup.