Tonight could be the final game of the NBA season if the Warriors have it their way. Golden State is currently on pace to sweep the playoffs, including the defending champions. This win will be the final step in complete redemption after blowing a 3-1 lead in last year’s finals. Going 16-0 in the playoffs will be just another accomplishment on a very long list of them for Golden State.
The Cavs played great in Game 3 for 47 minutes, but could not close out in the final minute and allowed the Warriors to take the lead. Cleveland looked like they forgot they were playing one of the greatest scoring teams in NBA history. It was embarrassing and seemed to break any remaining confidence the Cavs had in turning this series around. Even LeBron James, who had 40 points in Game 3, said that he was “physically and emotionally” drained after the loss. Those are bold words from a guy who looked unstoppable in the first half of the game, but playing 41 minutes of the game clearly took a toll on James.
An argument can be made that this Warriors team is just too good to be stopped even by the best player in the world and his hand picked squad. A 73 win team added one of the greatest scorers in NBA history this offseason in Kevin Durant and he has surpassed any expectation of him this series. Durant is any easy favorite for Finals MVP if the Warriors close out this series and the story of how he decided to sign with Golden State actually brings this team full circle from last year’s brutal loss. Draymond Green recently admitted that after last year’s Game 7, he sat in the parking lot of Oracle Arena and called Durant. Two weeks later, the team announced one of the most shocking acquisitions in NBA history.
It will be interesting to see if James can rally his team to at least avoid a sweep. Come back and win this series, however, might be asking for too much even for the team who came back from 3-1.
