126 teams have tried. 126 teams have failed.
No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven playoff series to win that series -- but on Friday night, the Cavaliers took the first step toward making history by destroying the Warriors in Clevelandbehind an NBA Finals-record 24 made 3-pointers.
Golden State blew a 3-1 NBA Finals lead against LeBron James and the Cavs last season. But the Warriors have a chance at redemption, as they can win their second NBA title in three years with a home win over the Cavs Monday night.
Can Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and the Warriors close it out?
ABC15 sports director Craig Fouhy
I’m a bit surprised we’re even playing a Game 5. Although I originally picked the Warriors in five, I altered my prediction to Warriors in four after the first three games of the series. Little did I realize the Cavaliers would play like world champions Friday and that the Warriors would play so poorly.
But be that as it may, I do believe the Warriors will come out on fire Monday night and complete the run with a win in front of their hometown crowd. Add to that the fact that the Cavaliers know they face an uphill battle to come back and beat Golden State, and I think the odds have swung heavily in favor of the team from the Bay.
I’m not so sure the Warriors will shoot 28 percent from 3-point land again, and I’m certainly confident the Cavs won’t be making 24 3-pointers or hitting at an unbelievable 53 percent from downtown. Warriors 121, Cavaliers 112
ABC15 sports anchor Jason Snavely
My original Finals prediction was Warriors in 5 and I believe that’s going to become a reality tonight. Too many things went right for Cleveland and wrong for Golden State in Game 4 to think that’ll happen again.
Kyrie Irving dropping 40 points? Splash Brothers combining for 27? Cavs outshooting the Warriors from 3-point range 53-28 percent? Not going to happen in Game 5. The best team in the NBA closes it out tonight on their home floor. Warriors 121, Cavaliers 110
ABC15.com sportswriter Shane Dale
The Cavaliers have finally discovered the blueprint for beating the Warriors: Shatter NBA Finals records for 3-pointers, and hope that two of Golden State's three superstars have horrible nights. It seems unlikely that both things will happen again Monday, let alone three games in a row.
Cleveland didn't play badly in Games 1 or 2 and still got shellacked by the Warriors in Oakland in both games. I expect LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will both have stellar performances once again Monday, but it probably won't be enough against a Warriors team with an unfair amount of talent.
Let's be clear: If Cleveland wins Monday, all bets are off. At that point, I wouldn't be surprised to see Cavs make history by completing the comeback. But that's a mighty big if. Look for Oakland to party well into Tuesday morning after the Warriors take the series and Kevin Durant is named Finals MVP. Warriors 118, Cavaliers 111
