The 1-2 punch of LeBron James and Matthew Dellavedova did it again for the Cavaliers, who took hold of these Finals with a 96-91 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead on Tuesday night at The Q.
James continued to be pure dominance, registering 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks in 46 minutes. For 75 percent of the contest Dellavedova outplayed his counterpart in Stephen Curry to add 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
After the Game 2 win in The Bay, James challenged Cavaliers fans to bring it and they paid attention. Quicken Loans Arena was electric. It was 51 years of built-up desire screaming at the top of their lungs, pulling for their team in the wine and gold.
They did their part and the players returned the favor.
The Cavaliers built a 20-point lead late in the third quarter, 68-48. Warriors looked defeated. But the Cavaliers struggled early in the fourth and Steph Curry found his stroke, scoring 24 points in the final half to lead Golden State within 81-80 with a little over three minutes remaining.
Then came the two biggest plays of the game, with Dellavedova getting Curry on his hip in the lane and banking home a runner and drawing a foul for a desperately-needed 3-point play. Then, after a defensive stop, James drilled a 3-pointer to re-establish a seven-point lead.
There were a few more scares in the final 90 seconds as Curry kept banging home treys, but James hit four free throws in the final minute and a final defensive stop sealed the victory.
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