It looks like the NBA Finals, and thus the National Basketball Association’s postseason, are set to wrap tomorrow night with the Golden State Warriors very likely finishing off the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Golden State Warriors remain in Cleveland in for game four, having completed a comeback for the ages in game three.
Cleveland got transcendent performances from both Lebron James and Kyrie Irving last night, but it still wasn’t enough as the Warriors were truly golden in crunch time, ending the game on an 11-0 run, turning a late seven point deficit into a six point win. If the Cavs can’t win at home, when both James and Irving are at the very top of their game, then when can they beat Golden State?
Simply put, the Cavaliers were a two man team last night. They didn’t get much from Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, or anybody else, including back-up point guard Deron Williams. While Williams wasn’t expected to be the driving force in determining Cleveland’s success, the crafty veteran leader was forecasted to be a legitimate x-factor, and unfortunately for both him and his team, the polar opposite has occurred.
Last night brought a new low for D. Will, in what has been a dreadful series for him.
Of course, it doesn’t seem like anyone can stop the Golden State Warriors right now, not even the 1997 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10. You can say without hyperbole that they are a super-team, or a mega-team, with stars all around playing at the top of their game. We are witnessing historical greatness here, and Friday night should bring a new precedent. Yes, the Golden State Warriors are set to become the first 16-0, perfect team in NBA Playoffs history.
If you want to be in Cleveland to see it live, we can help, as we’re doing a Hotels.com gift card giveaway. Tell us your NBA Finals “Mt. Rushmore,” and by that we want to hear your best four NBA Finals performers of all-time. We’re giving you three ways to compete to. You can tweet us @paulmbanks, email us at thesportsbank DOT net AT Gmail DOT com, or simply post in the comments section below.
It’s all up to you, and the composer of our favorite NBA Finals Mt. Rushmore wins a $50 gift certificate from Hotels.com
If you’re going to be in Cleveland, popular hotels include the Metropolitan at The 9 and the Clifford House. If you’re going to be in Vegas, wagering on the series, The Palms Casino in Las Vegas has the Hardwood Suite, featuring a full basketball court, professional locker room and NBA-sized fold out beds.
If you’re not going to be in either city, but want to see the Warriors’ crowing achievement as it happens in real time, remember, the game four broadcast on ABC begins at 8 pm Eastern. It’s been very a dull postseason, no doubt about it. It’s been pretty much all “chalk” along the way, and we all knew since February it was going to be Cleveland Cavaliers versus Golden State Warriors for a historic third consecutive time.
This whole postseason, we’ve seen two teams in an arms race with each other, sending the opposition a clear message with each extreme blowout of their opponent. We had all hoped for and anticipated an epic Finals series, likely going the full seven games.
It doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen as the Golden State Warriors should complete the sweep tomorrow night.
Although it’s not the result many of us wanted, it’s still worth tuning in for. You’ll miss basketball when it’s gone for the summer.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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