Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

PRIZES:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2^nd Place: $20 Amazon gift card

3^rd-5^th Place: $10 Amazon gift card

If there are ties, a random drawing will determine the winner.

Top 5 Winners:

1. Oinesra Neroll (500 points)
2. Harvey Pitteard (367 points)
3. Robert Moore (367 points)
4. Adamkwortnik0 (367 points)
5. Beth Ponthier (367 points)

Overview:

On Wednesday, June 6^th, the Golden State Warriors will be on the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the NBA Finals.

The Warriors have a (2-0) series advantage.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Cavaliers 105.8 – Warriors 104.8 with an over/under of 210.6.

Statistical Breakdown (2017-18 Playoffs):

Point differential: Warriors +9.4 > Cavaliers -0.4

Points per game: Warriors 110.6 > Cavaliers 101.9

Points allowed per game: Warriors 101.2 > Cavaliers 102.3

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Warriors 47.9% > Cavaliers 45.7%

Three Point Percentage: Warriors 35.6% > Cavaliers 33.5%

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Warriors 42.7% > Cavaliers 46.5%

Turnovers committed per game: Cavaliers 12.7 > Warriors 13.1

Turnovers forced per game: Warriors 13.7 > Cavaliers 12.0

Rebounds per game: Warriors 45.5 > Cavaliers 41.0

Assists per game: Warriors 26.1 > Cavaliers 19.1

Summary:

The Warriors take a (2-0) series advantage after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-103 in game two.  The Warriors were again without Andre Iguodala who was sidelined with a nagging knee injury but it made little difference.  Golden State shot a sizzling 57% from the field and turned the ball over only 12 times in the victory.  Stephen Curry was on fire scoring 33 points and dishing out 8 assists.  The Cavaliers had no answer for Curry who set the Finals record with 9 made three pointers.  Kevin Durant bounced back from a rough shooting performance to score 26 points on a very efficient 10-14 shooting.  Klay Thompson was able to shake off his high ankle sprain and score 20 points on 8-13 shooting.  Kevin Durant struggled shooting just 8-22 but still scored 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.  Draymond Green scored only 5 points, but grabbed 8 rebounds, and had 7 assists.  Shaun Livingston played well off the bench scoring 10 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field.  In the playoffs, the Warriors are averaging 110.6 points per game and allowing 101.2.

The Cavaliers are heading back home facing a very daunting (0-2) deficit.  The Cavaliers were held to 41% shooting but did manage to outrebound the Warriors 52-50.  Cleveland only turned the ball over 11 times but the stifling defense of Golden State wasn’t allowing for any easy buckets.  Lebron James was forced to play a game high 44 minutes and he scored 29 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists.  Kevin Love had another strong performance with 22 points and 10 rebounds but the Warriors abused him all night defensively.  George Hill was able to score 15 points but he had no success slowing down Stephen Curry.  J.R. Smith looks mentally disengaged after his game one gaffe scoring only 5 points on 2-9 shooting.  Of the bench players that played at least ten minutes, Jeff Green led the way with only 6 points.  This postseason, the Cavaliers are averaging 101.9 points per game (13^th) and allowing 102.3.

Bottom Line:

Cleveland looked tired and demoralized from their brutal game one defeat.  There was no stopping the Warriors onslaught of hot shooting in game two.  The good news for Cleveland is that they have played great on their home floor where they are (8-1) this postseason.  Golden State is clearly the superior team with multidimensional players who can pass, dribble, shoot, and defend.  This series is looking more and more like a sweep but I think if the Cavaliers can steal a game it will happen on Wednesday.

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