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SpanishNBA Conference Finals | Game 3 Recap
Cavaliers vs Celtics
This was a game the Cavaliers had to claim, and that they did. James finished with conservative numbers scoring 27 points and recording 12 assists. Kevin Love added 13 points and 14 rebounds, Korver had 14, while the rest of the 116 points scored by the Cavaliers were pretty much evenly distributed across the team. The Cavaliers looked like a different team on their home court, which made the series more exciting now that they are 1 game away from a tie. The three-day break in between Game 2 and Game 3 gave the Cavaliers a chance to regroup and rethink their strategy against the Celtics.
The Cavaliers outplayed the Celtics for almost the entire game. They quickly built a 19-point lead led by James, and further pulled away in the second half after stretching the lead to 30 points.
Jaylen Brown, one of the Celtics’ key players in the playoffs was in foul trouble all night and only managed to contribute 10 points. After averaging 23 points in the first two games, it was a shock to see the sophomore player stagnant in Game 3. Even Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier underperformed after recording 31 points for the Celtics, which couldn’t come close to the pace of the Cavaliers. Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals ended 116-86.
Rockets vs Warriors
Stephen Curry had been quiet as soon as he returned to the playoffs after his injury. However, a few weeks worth of debates regarding how his performance was stale took a 180-degree turn after finishing Game 3 of the Western Conference finals with 35 points. The two-time NBA MVP Award winner silenced the doubters after erupting in front of his home crowd. His shots were falling, he was penetrating the Rockets’ defense, and best of all, it seems like we’re looking at the Steph Curry we’re used to seeing, which is dominating.
The gap showed in the third quarter in which Curry displayed what he does best–scoring. He sank all seven of his shots and two long 3-pointers. Durant also took part in the blowout by adding 25 points to the Warriors’ scoreboard.
Having lost badly in Game 2 of the series, the Warriors made a statement that they are still the team to beat in the NBA after trashing the rockets 126-85.
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