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Game 3 loss is just what Cavs needed

By Sam Beech

May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second half against Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the second half against Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are better off after their Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics.

It is safe to say that pretty much all of the basketball world was shocked at the result of Sunday night—an unprecedented 21-point comeback win by the Boston Celtics in a series that had a Cleveland Cavaliers sweep written all over it.

It is still hard for anyone to see the Cavs losing this series but Game 3 showed that the Cavs are at least vulnerable and that LeBron James is human. The loss also gives the Golden State Warriors a chance to get at least three days more rest than the Cavs, given that the Warriors completed their third sweep of the 2017 playoffs Monday night.

The loss is not sitting well to much of the Cleveland faithful for very obvious reasons but I would argue that the loss is actually going to help this team in the big picture.

No team had ever entered the NBA Finals with a 12-0 playoff record before Golden State finished off San Antonio. Would it have been cool to see two 12-0 teams go against each other?

Absolutely!

But entering the Finals with a 12-0 record could also be problematic.

If the Cavs had entered the NBA Finals unblemished, the magnitude of that Game 1 against the Warriors would skyrocket. Both teams would be unfamiliar with the feeling of losing, and a that first loss would certainly be a shock to the system—similar to how Game 3 against Boston was.

I think the Cavs would have a legitimate chance of winning a Game 1 in Oracle Arena, but the odds would certainly not be in their favor. Going through such an unfamiliar feeling then might be psychologically detrimental to the team. The Cavs are better off getting that bad game of their chest when they still are in such a good position. Now, Golden State will be the only one that has to experience that unfamiliar feeling.

The loss will also force the Cavs to reassess themselves and clean up some things before a likely trip to the Finals. As good as the Cavs have been this postseason, the East has not offered much resistance to the defending champs. The lack of competition has allowed us to look past the team’s kinks, especially on the defensive end. Cleveland has definitely elevated its play from the regular season, but this loss is a good reminder that the team still needs to take it up another notch.

The Cavs have proven that they play their best when they face criticism and doubt from the basketball world. Cleveland feeds off adversity; it embraces it. The playoffs were a walk in the park until Sunday night. The team was clearly complacent in Game 3. Perhaps this loss will give the team just what it needs as we get closer to that Finals rematch.

Look out for a different team, and a different LeBron, in Game 4.

Related Story: Desperation is what the Cavs needed

Do you think the Cleveland Cavaliers loss in Game 3 will be beneficial for the Cavs in the long run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.