With their backs against the wall, LeBron James knows all-too well that his Cleveland Cavaliers must win Game 3 Wednesday if they hope to make one of the greatest comebacks in 70 years of championship history.
The Cavaliers lost twice on road against the defending champions by a combined total of 38 points. Only three teams in NBA history have rallied from 2-0 down to win the NBA Finals. No team trailing 3-0 has ever fought back to win a best of seven playoff series. Despite the odds, the Cavaliers have reasons to be confident as they are 7-0 at home in this year's postseason after 33 regular-season home wins.
Stephen Curry
Kevin Love is uncertain for Game 3 after taking a blow to the back of the head that sidelined him most of the second half in game two. Golden State, on the other hand, are worried about matching Cleveland's intensity, especially early on. The Warriors are 3-4 on the road in the playoffs this season, and the champs know exactly how fast a series can change after becoming just the tenth team to come back from 3-1 down when they beat Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals.
"We know they're going to come out with a sense of urgency in the moment. But we need to have that same mentality, because for what's at stake, if we're able to go up 3-0, that is a great position to be in. That is the opportunity in front of us.So we can't get complacent. We can't celebrate anything because we haven't accomplished anything yet," said Golden State Warriors Guard Stephen Curry.
"Obviously, it's a do-or-die game for us. We can't afford to go down 3-0 to any team, especially a team that's 73-9 in the regular season and playing the type of basketball they're playing. So it's a do-or-die game for us, and we understand that," said Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Lebron James.