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*Photo via USA Today
Cavaliers VS. Celtics Game Three
For the third straight game those pesky Boston Celtics kept it close, but inevitably fell short once again.
Evan Turner hit a three with a little over two minutes to go to bring the Celtics within three. Kevin Love, who had been pretty much nonexistent offensively in the first two games. Knocked down two threes late to give the Cleveland Cavaliers an eight point lead with 26 seconds to go. The Cavs would hold on from there for the win.
Love was engaged offensively after struggling from the field in the first two games. He had hit just eight of 22 shots in game one and two, before exploding for 23 points. Love picked up the offensive slack for Kyrie Irving, who struggled from the floor. Irving shot just three for 11, with only 13 points. LeBron James put in his second straight 30 point game, and the Cavs won 103-95, putting a stranglehold on the series, at three games to none.
Player of the Game-
Kevin Love- In his best performance of the series, he put up 23 points on eight of 16 shots and was red hot from beyond the arc nailing six out of 10 three pointers, two of which helped lock up the game late in the fourth. He also added nine rebounds and three assists.
Dud of the Game-
Isiah Thomas- Thomas had success in the first two games, but was held in check in game three. He scored just five points on two of nine shooting, including making none of his three shot attempts from outside.
Stat of the Game-
The Cavs shot 41 percent from three.
It seems to be the same game each time these teams play, the Celtics keep it within striking distance, but the talent of the Cavs overcomes the Celtic runs. The Celtics should be more impressed with this game, because they kept it close despite their best player, Isiah Thomas scoring just five points.
It has to be a good sign for everyone involved with the Cavs to see Love perform well, but for most of games one and two, Love did not play well, and Kyrie had an off night tonight. It has to be somewhat of concern they’re still out of sync. The Cavs can handle Boston with just LeBron taking over the game, but I don’t think he can take them to a championship without the two counter parts playing consistent every game.
A 3-0 the series is all but over, but I see LeBron going back and getting everyone involved in game four. So the Cavs can be clicking better for their next series, potentially against the Chicago Bulls.
Brad Stevens will have his team well prepared and ready to go for game four, but I see no reason to think the outcome will be any different than games one through three, and see Cleveland advancing Sunday.
The next game is Sunday 4/26 at 1pm on ABC