CLEVELAND -- Finally, the kind of game so many expected of these NBA Finals. Close throughout, with superstars on both teams playing at superstar level.
The Warriors prevailed, with a 118-113 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 3 Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena that keeps alive their chance for a perfect postseason.
Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Klay Thompson had 30 and Stephen Curry put in 26 as the Warriors took a 3-0 series lead and extended their postseason win streak to 15, the most by any team in any major American sport.
No team in NBA history has overcome a 3-0 deficit in The Finals.
LeBron James led the Cavaliers, scoring a game-high 39 points. All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving also submitted a tremendous scoring performance with 38.
STANDOUT PERFORMER: Curry, Durant and Thompson carried the night.
Curry’s line: 26 points (8-of-19 shooting from the field, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, 5-of-5 from the line), a game-high-tying 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals. He played 39 minutes and finished plus-11.
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Durant’s line: 31 points (10-of-18, 4-of-7, 7-of-8), eight rebounds and four assists. He played 41 minute and finished with a plus/minus of 0.
Thompson’s line: 30 points (11-of-18, 6-of-11, 2-of-2 from the line), six rebounds and two assists. He played 41 minutes and finished plus-3.
TURNING POINT: This one was in doubt every step of the way, as neither team was able to build a double-digit lead. The Warriors went up as much as eight, the Cavs by seven.
Trailing by six (113-107) after JR Smith drained a 3-pointer with 3:09 remaining, the Warriors finished the game on an 11-0 run, with Durant accounting for 7 points and Curry the other 4.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors: No injuries listed. C Damian Jones and F Kevon Looney were placed on the inactive list.
Cavaliers: C Edy Tavares (R hand fracture) was listed as out. G Kay Felder and Tavares were placed on the inactive list.
WHAT’S NEXT: Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is set for 6:10 p.m. Pacific.
