NBA Finals Schedule 2017: Game 3 TV Info and Cavaliers vs. Warriors Prediction
Most expected the 2017 NBA Finals to feature two evenly matched superteams, but the Golden State Warriors have dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in stunning fashion to take a 2-0 series lead.
Kevin Durant has outshined LeBron James in terms of impact on the series. After leading all scorers in Game 1 with 38 points, the Warriors forward followed with a two-way performance that opened eyes to an underrated defensive aspect to his game.
After consecutive blowout losses, the Cavaliers look completely overmatched, but history says there's still a chance for a comeback. Head coach Tyronn Lue doesn't plan on making sweeping changes to climb back into the series, per NBA TV reporter Kristen Ledlow:
In the 2016 NBA Finals, Cleveland lost Games 1 and 2 by a combined 48 points. This year, the Warriors have won by a combined 41-point margin. Nonetheless, Durant provides the X-Factor that may not allow the defending champions to bounce back.
How will Game 3 pan out on Wednesday? Tune in with the game info below.
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
When: Wednesday, June 7, at 9 p.m. ET
Watch: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction
It's a best-of-seven series, but it's a must-win for the Cavaliers. The defending championships have to throw everything at the Warriors to win at home. Klay Thompson joined the splash party at Oracle Arena with 22 points in Game 2, which put Golden State way over the top on the scoreboard:
In order to compete with the Western Conference champions, Kyrie Irving has to score with more efficiency. He's shooting 40 percent from the floor with only three free-throw attempts.
Personally, Irving knows the Warriors have game-planned to put him in tough spots but acknowledges the challenge:
Expect the Cavaliers guard to play closer to his 2016 NBA Finals performance in which he shot 46 percent from the field and averaged 27.1 points for the series.
Despite going on the road, the Warriors should walk into Quicken Loans Arena with all the confidence to continue their dominant NBA Finals performance, especially after Thompson found his stroke in the previous outing.
Through two games, Durant and Stephen Curry are averaging 35.5 and 30 points per contest. The Cavaliers will likely focus on adding defensive pressure on the wings with J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert putting in a concerted effort to chase the sharpshooters off their marks.
Lue didn't care to share any possible changes, but he's likely going to tinker with the role players' bench minutes to engineer more offense.
The Cavaliers head coach emphasized putting together offensive units to "score the basketball" in a press conference in response to a question about Tristan Thompson's role in turning the series around, per NBA TV:
In coded coach language, Lue would prefer to give minutes to Channing Frye and Kyle Korver who can stretch the floor and match firepower with the Warriors. Thompson brings defensive tenacity and interior play, but he's not suited for a track meet with scorers racing up and down the court to spot up for open jump shots.
Frye didn't play in Game 1, but he logged 11 minutes in Game 2. Deron Williams has played 33 minutes and scored zero points through two games. His time on the court will drop significantly as Shumpert takes on a bigger role off the bench.
Cleveland's bench will contribute to matching the Warriors' offensive onslaught. James will provide another triple-double, but Irving will flash on the 2017 NBA Finals stage with 35 points to put his stamp on the series.
Prediction: Cavaliers 112, Warriors 107
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