NO POPPING BOTTLES AT HOME FOR DUB NATION
The Golden State Warriors were up 3-1, playing at home, on the brink of winning back-to-back championships. Trophy is so close, they could taste it. The only problem was, their main engine on the block was suspended on Sunday for his actions against LeBron James. So how would they do without Draymond Green? That’s what we were all waiting to find out tonight.
With Oracle Arena behind them (and booing LBJ every chance they got), the Warriors started out setting the tempo and connecting on a number of shots to give the crowd life.
But the Cleveland Cavaliers lingered around.
King James made it a mission to keep the team in the game and did, for most of the first half. Him and Kyrie Irving were the entire Cavs offense on the road, doing everything they could to give it to the Warriors. Somehow, James’ shot magically came back and he was hitting from deep. He would drive hard at the rim and finish.
By the time halftime hit, things were all tied up at 41.
In the third quarter, it was a different story. Things remained pretty well contested until Andrew Bogut hyper-extended his knee going up for a rebound.
That’s when Cleveland put their foot on Golden State’s neck and went on several runs. With no rim protection and Warriors playing small ball, LeBron kept going at the rim. They went up as much as 11, with the Warriors still lingering around and fighting their way back.
It just wasn’t enough.
The Warriors kept missing wide open three’s, Kyrie kept making shots, not letting his foot off the gas and Oracle Arena was completely deflated. It was truly the Kyrie and ‘Bron show throughout the game and it continued through the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Kevin Love was nowhere to be found.
Kevin Love has 2 points in the 1st half. Where’s Kevin?https://t.co/U84n9dbySL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 14, 2016
WHERE’S KEVIN?!
But neither was Chef Curry. The unanimous regular season MVP couldn’t sink a three pointer to clinch the series, even though he had a quiet 25 points. He finished 5-14 from downtown. Klay Thompson had the team on his back again, scoring 37 points, while Andre Iguodala ended with 15 points, as they were the only Warriors players in double digits.
Meanwhile, both Irving and James had 41 points, with LeBron coming down with 16 rebounds and Kyrie finishing with 6 assists.
Game 6 will be played in Cleveland on Thursday and it will be interesting how the Warriors come out with Draymond back, but Bogut possibly being out with injury.
UPDATE: And if you were wondering what Green was up to while the Warriors were missing him on the floor, he was just hearing MVP chants after going to the bathroom at the A’s game
Fans cheering MVP as Draymond comes out of the restroom. Damn, MVP of taking a leak. pic.twitter.com/XLPNmjdqKF
— DeMarcus Davis (@DeMarcusRFNET) June 14, 2016
FINAL: CLE 112 | GS 97