Warriors Rally to Beat Cavs in Game 3 of NBA Finals
The Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and can close it out with a win in Game 4 on Friday
By NBC Sports Bay Area ••
The Warriors are one win away from sweeping their way to back-to-back championships, and for that they can thank Kevin Durant.
Durant delivered 43 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in Wednesday night to lift the Warriors to a 110-102 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and can close it out with a win in Game 4 on Friday. No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit.
Getty Images
(L-R) LeBron James and Stephen Curry
Getty Images
Kevin Durant #35 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors react as Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drive to the basket against Jeff Green #32 and Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball against Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Jason Miller/Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate with Kevin Durant #35 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a layup against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a layup defended by Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Getty Images
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 06: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a layup defended by JR Smith #5 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter during Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
JaVale McGee #1 of the Golden State Warriors dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers collides with Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a layup defended by Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks with Kevin Durant #35 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts with Kevin Durant #35 against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Musician Carlos Santana plays the National Anthem prior to Game 2 of the 2018 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at ORACLE Arena on June 3, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love (0) defends during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals Thursday, May 31, 2018, in Oakland, Calif.
Ben Margot/AP
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts to a call during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Ben Margot/AP
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts between guard Jordan Clarkson (8) and Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during overtime of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez
An official tries to separate Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during overtime of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2018. The Warriors won 124-114.
Ben Margot/AP
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard George Hill (3) during the second half of Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 31, 2018.
Getty Images
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018, in Oakland, California.
Getty Images
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018, in Oakland, California.
Getty Images
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018, in Oakland, California.
NBC Bay Area
The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers square off in Game 1 or the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland Thursday night.
NBC Bay Area
The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers square off in Game 1 or the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland Thursday night.
NBC Bay Area
Fans show up to Oracle Arena in style for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
NBC Bay Area
Fans show up to Oracle Arena in style for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
NBC Bay Area
Fans show up to Oracle Arena in style for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
NBC Bay Area
The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers square off in Game 1 or the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland Thursday night.
The Warriors survived subpar offensive performances from Klay Thompson (10 points, 4-of-11 shooting) and Stephen Curry (11 points, 3-of-16) but got 10 points apiece from Draymond Green, JaVale McGee and Jordan Bell.
STANDOUT PERFORMER: Thompson was struggling with his offense. Curry was struggling mightily with his offense. Durant did not struggle. He had everybody’s back.
Durant’s line: 43 points (15-of-23 from the field, 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, 7-of-7 from the line), 13 rebounds and seven assists. He played 43 minutes and was a team-best plus-15.
TURNING POINT: When the Cavaliers went up 61-54 on a 3-point play by LeBron James with 11:38 left in the third quarter, the Warriors responded with a 15-3 run -- in the process taking their first lead, 63-61, on a pair of free throws by Curry -- to go up 69-64 on a Draymond Green layup with 7:44 left in the quarter.
The Warriors took an 83-81 lead into the fourth quarter. Though the game remained tight over the final 12 minutes, Cleveland never led for more than 17 seconds.
INJURY UPDATE: Warriors: G/F Andre Iguodala (L lateral leg contusion) was listed as questionable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff. Cavaliers: No injuries listed.
WHAT’S NEXT: Game 4 is scheduled for Friday at Quicken Loans Arena. Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4 p.m. Pacific, with postgame coverage immediately after the final horn. Tipoff of the ABC telecast is set for 6:05.
