Game Summary
After a 96-91 win in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers will try to go up 3-1 in their series against the Golden State Warriors tonight at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Cavaliers have won seven of eight playoff series when leading 2-1 in team history.
The Cavs led wire-to-wire in their Game 3 victory, their first NBA Finals home win in franchise history. Cleveland also improved to an NBA-best 14-2 in the playoffs, including 7-1 at The Q. The Wine and Gold own the NBA’s best home record since Jan. 19 at 27-2 (.931), which includes a perfect 9-0 mark against the Western Conference.
The Cavs’ defense held the Warriors to 91 points on 36-90 (.400) shooting from the field in Game 3, including 37 points on 15-44 (.341) shooting in the first half. During the series, the Cavs have held the Warriors to a combined .414 shooting from the field, including .313 from beyond the arc. Cleveland also tallied nine steals and eight blocks in the victory and is averaging 10.0 steals and 5.3 blocks per game during the 2015 NBA Finals.
Overall, the Cavaliers defense has been solid in this year’s playoffs, holding teams to under 100 points in 13 of the 17 contests. The Wine and Gold are giving up 93.4 points (2nd-lowest in playoffs) on .413 shooting from the field (2nd overall), including .288 shooting from the three-point line (1st). The team is also swatting 6.6 shots per game (2nd).
The Cavaliers shot 9-21 (.429) from three-point range in Game 3 and are 22-0 at home when connecting on .400 or better from long distance (regular season and postseason included).
For Golden State in Game 3, Stephen Curry scored a team-high 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, including 7-of-13 from downtown, in 44 minutes.
The Warriors set a franchise record with 28 road victories during the regular season and are 5-3 away from Oracle Arena in the playoffs.
Where to Watch:
Tune into ABC, ESPN Deportes.
WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega
What's going to make the difference?
Learn more about tonight’s matchup.
Get into the conversation with other die-hards.
Probable Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic
Status Update: Anderson Varejao, (Left Achilles Tendon Rupture, Out), Kevin Love, (Left Shoulder Dislocation, Out), Kyrie Irving, (Fractured Left Knee Cap, Out)
Warriors: PG - Stephen Curry, SG - Klay Thompson, SF - Harrison Barnes PF - Draymond Green, C - Andrew Bogut
Inactives: (Warriors) - None to Report
Series Notables
In the 2015 NBA Finals, LeBron James is averaging 41.0 points, 12.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 47.3 minutes per game. His 123 points through the first three games of the series are the most in NBA Finals history, surpassing Rick Barry’s 122 points in the first three games of the 1967 Finals. LeBron recorded his 11th double-double of the 2015 playoffs and his second 40-point game of the 2015 playoffs (both in finals against Warriors) after finishing with a game-high 40 points, 12 rebounds, a game-high eight assists, a postseason-high tying four steals and two blocks in 46 minutes. It was the first time in James’ playoff career that he has put together that stat line.
Tristan Thompson is leading the NBA Finals with 14.0 rebounds per game. He has pulled down double-digit rebounds in 10 of the last 12 playoff games after a double-double performance (10 pts/13 rebs) in Game 3 against the Warriors.
Matthew Dellavedova tallied a playoff career-high 20 points, five rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes during Game 3. In three home games since the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, he has averaged 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 33.3 minutes.
Iman Shumpert has swiped 10 steals through the first three games of the NBA Finals, the most in this series. As a team, Cleveland is averaging 10.0 steals in the 2015 NBA Finals.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: ABC, ESPN Deportes, Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, ESPN Radio
Be sure to tune into the hour long #CavsLive pregame show on FOX Sports Ohio starting at 8:00 p.m.
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22, @FSOAllieOop and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
On Deck
After Thursday's game, the series sifts back to Oakland for Game 5 on Sunday, June 14th at Oracle Arena. Tipoff is at 9:00 p.m. ET. View Series Schedule