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*Photo via NBATV
The Cleveland Cavaliers took full advantage of home-court defeating the Golden State Warriors, 96-91. The stat of the night for the Cavs was their shooting from the field. The Cavs shot 46.1 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three, six percent higher than the Warriors in both categories.
1.There’s no need to ever change the first takeaway for the Cavs at this point, LeBron James did it again. LeBron just missed another triple-double after scoring 40 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out eight assists. After tonight's game as well LeBron set the record for most points ever scored in the finals through the first three games with 123 points. At the level Lebron is currently playing at, the Warriors will continue to have their hands full as he seems to completely control both sides of the court. If LeBron's body can keep up the heavy load he has to carry, the Cavs title drought becomes closer and closer to finally ending.
2.The unlikely sidekick to LeBron tonight was again, Matthew Dellavedova. Delly just seems to be thriving from this. In Game 3 Dellavedova scored 20 points, dished out four assists and even grabbed five rebounds. The real play of Dellavedova in Game 3 can’t be found in any stat column. Dellavedova was everywhere tonight, from smothering defense on Stephen Curry, to hitting circus shots, to giving up his body on numerous occasions for loose balls. Dellavedova has become the heart of this Cavs team and his play will continue to be crucial as these finals go on.
3.This was the first game of the series where the Cavs, were able to withstand the late attack of the Warriors to close out this game. The Cavs held the lead the entirety of the game, the Warriors failed to lead once in Game 3
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4.The Cavs bench, although they didn’t outscore the Warriors in Game 3, or even break 20 points they were important. James Jones had seven points in the first half, one being a four-point play. J.R Smith finished with 10 points, but looked a lot better shooting the ball, a bright spot for his shaky series thus far. Lastly, veteran Mike Miller got some playing time and made the most of it, Miller had one steal in which he fully lunged to save the ball from going out.
5.Hustle plays, the one category where there’s no true stat that shows it. The Cavs were as their motto goes “ALL IN” they played hard, gritty basketball and made the most of every possession. Now they did just have six offensive rebounds, but they were aggressive down low. When the ball was loose, guys were diving and putting their bodies at risk to extend or save a possession. The effort and heart was not shown on the Warriors side, they seemed to lack a fire like the Cavs brought. If the intensity stays in favor of the Cavs, the Warriors as talented as they may be might just have their hands too full.