The Significance Of Game Three

Game Three is going to be very important. So important that it will dictate whether Lebron James leaves the Cavs this summer or not.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think the Cavs will win the series. The Warriors are just too darned good. But if the Cavs can win Game 3, then they make the series respectable. Win Game Four and we'll have a proper series.

The Unfortunate Thing About Game One...

Do you know what's quite sad about Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers?

That its biggest talking point isn't Lebron James' singular dominance, scoring 51 points, grabbing 8 rebounds and 8 assists in an almost triple-double effort, while playing 48 minutes.

I'm Not Going To Say I Told You So...

But I told you so.

Game 7 Lebron James is real...and he's unreal. And the best way to avoid that juggernaut is to not let the Cavs get to Game 7.

Tonight, Lebron's numbers may not be as gaudy compared to other games (35 points on 50% shooting, 15 rebounds, 9 assists) but he was definitely everything the Cavs needed him to be.

Lebron Is Human (And That's Just Fine)

So the Celtics won at home 96-83. Not a shocker. They showed a lot of poise when the Cavs whittled down a 16 point lead to an 8 point lead in 3 minutes flat during the second quarter and eventually built and even larger lead. Nor surprising at all. Marcus Morris got a tech, definitely not unexpected. Jayson Tatum is already a star. Okay, that's a bit surprising but not shocking.   

What was unexpected was Lebron James showing signs of fatigue during the game. James was sloppy (6 turnovers), off target (1-6 from 3pt land) and worse, lacked his usual energy on defense (1 steal, 0 blocks)

It May Be 2-2 But Cavs Have The Edge Now

Before we get all huffy-puffy, let me just say that this Boston team is scary. With their two best players (Irving, Hayward) sidelined, they have proven themselves to be more worthy rivals to the Cavs than the Raptors ever were.

And yes, I remember that Boston beat Cleveland in Game 1 by 25 points, and in Game 2 by 13 points. It isn't about that, or about the Cavs returning the favor by beating the Celtics by 30 points in Game 3 and by 9 just today. (That's +1 for the Cavs by the way.)

The Boston Celtics Are For Real, So Deal With It.

So, let's talk about the elephant in the room.

Lebron James is still the best player in the planet (sorry, Kevin Durant).

Still, as the Indiana Pacers and, just this morning, the Boston Celtics have proven, basketball is a team game, and the better team has a better chance of going through.

How do we know the Boston Celtics are the better team (versus the Cavs, the Raptors, the Pacers and the Bucks)?

Because they've lost 2 franchise-level players in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward and yet, here they are, not just in the Eastern Conference Finals but in the Eastern Conference Finals and dominating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1.

NBA FINALS: Predictions for Game 3

Yes, it's 1-1. The Cavs stole homecourt advantage from the Warriors with a pulsating win in overtime (again) 95-93.

This time, Lebron James notched a triple double, with a god-like stat line of 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. Matthew Dellavedova delivered on some key free throws and spot on defense, forcing Steph Curry into an airball with 4.4 seconds left in overtime.

So does this spell the end for the Warriors?
A championship (finally) for the Cavs?
The start of a Cavaliers dynasty?

RETRO LBJ!

This is your Celeveland Cavaliers...circa 1975!