The Cavs got out-rebounded and lost the battle at the three-point line in the game and that was why they lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals ultimately.
The Cleveland Cavaliers played hard in Game 3 but it still wasn’t enough. The Cavs lost both the rebounding and the three-point battle, deciding factors in the loss.
As a result, the Golden State Warriors have an NBA record 15-0 start in the playoffs.
In Game 3, the Warriors shot 48.5 percent from three and the Cavaliers shot 27.3 percent from three. Despite improved efforts from Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith, the difference in three-point percentage rendered their efforts null.
Smith shot 50.0 percent from the three-point line going 5-10 and Korver went 2-6 shooting 33.3 percent from the three-point line. The only problem was that Kevin Love only made one three and Kyrie Irving was 0-7 from three-point range.
Another reason for the loss was a third consecutive absence by Tristan Thompson. Thompson had only three rebounds, two blocks and had zero points in Game 3. Thompson, whose hustle has won the Cavs many NBA Finals game, has been completely ineffective against the Warriors in this series.
As a team, the Cavs had 37 rebounds and the Warriors had 44 total. Hustle and physicality was where the Cavs had the advantage on paper against the Warriors and they haven’t been able to capitalize on their on-paper strengths throughout these first three games.
A microcosm of this problem was seen in Game 3, as Stephen Curry had 13 rebounds compared to Thompson’s three. That simply can’t happen. Thompson has to be more effective on the glass if the Cavs want to be the first team to win a Finals series while being down 3-0.
James and Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue give credence to the idea that this Golden State Warriors team is an all-time great team, if not the best team.
“They’re the best I’ve ever seen,” said Lue after the 113-91 loss in Game 1.
The Cavs are now playing for pride and they are trying to play to end the streak that the Warriors have going on.
"“We’re not going to give in,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “We’re going to keep competing. We had a chance to win last night, and if we come out with the fight and intensity that we played with last game, clean up a few mistakes, then we have a chance to win on Friday. So by no means are we giving in. We’re going to be ready to play on Friday.”"
LeBron isn’t feeling defeated after reminiscing on his career although it looks like they are going to get swept. It will be LeBron’s second time getting swept in the NBA Finals, with first time occurring ten years ago, in 2007, against San Antonio Spurs.
"“Well, I think it’s just part of my calling to just go against teams in the midst of a dynasty,” James said. “This has been the best team in our league the last three years. They won a championship, and last year it was the greatest regular-season team we had played, probably one of the best postseason teams that everybody’s ever seen as well, but we were just able to overcome that. And they’re playing like one of the best teams once again.”"
The Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit last year and this year they will have to come back from a 3-0 deficit. They’e proven that they can do the unimaginable but with how the Warriors have played it seems like Game 4 will be the end of the NBA season.