The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like title pretenders through the first two games of the NBA Finals, but they rediscovered championship-caliber form Wednesday night with a resounding 120-90 Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Eastern Conference champions are now 8-0 at home this postseason and one victory away from knotting the series at two games apiece. Game 4 is slated for Friday evening.
Facing must-win circumstances, LeBron James told his teammates before the game to “follow my lead and do your job,” according to the Associated Press.
Each side held up its end of the bargain.
James was magnificent with 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but the most encouraging part of his performance was a 14-of-26 shooting display that included a flurry of face-up and spot-up jump shots that were previously absent from his repertoire.
As a team, the Warriors committed 18 turnovers that led to 34 Cleveland points, and the Cavaliers exuded far more confidence from start to finish.
With an emphatic response in hand, the Cavaliers have a blueprint to work from as they seek to even the series when Game 4 rolls around Friday night.