LeBron James recorded a triple-double, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points and the Cavs broke scoring records while outperforming the NBA's most electrifying offence in a testy Game 4 filled with technical fouls on Friday night, beating the Warriors 137-116 and snapping their 15-game playoff winning streak. James also set a record with his ninth triple-double in the NBA Finals, and he posted another record for his third Finals triple-double in an elimination game.
Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, right, drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James during the second half of Game 4 of basketball's NBA Finals, Friday, June 9, 2017, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers, who previous year made an unprecedented rally from a 3-1 Finals deficit to beat the Warriors, were physical right from the opening tip in what was easily the most emotionally-charged game of the series. Stephen Curry finally had his first field goal of Game 4 with a three-pointer with about six minutes left in the second quarter.
Golden State clawed within seven, but then the Warriors began fouling and Kerr got nailed with his technical - one of seven in the game.
As would be expected, Cleveland has come out flying in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving said he was aware the Warriors wanted to finish a 16-0 romp through the postseason and celebrate a title on the Cavs' court, just as they did in 2015.
"Believeland is not going to give up", head coach Tyronn Lue said, "and we're going to keep fighting".
Stephen Curry shoots during a Warriors practice. Ben Margot AP
Unfortunately for the Cavs, Friday night's win may be too little too late after digging themselves what appears to be an insurmountable 0-3 hole, but for whatever reason this team is only at their best when their backs are against the wall.
That's because the Cavaliers stopped Warrior's ideal postseason play and maybe started another comeback. For now though, they hold a 3-1 lead. At times, it seemed like he was the only Warrior with any kind of fight in him.
The Warriors carried their collapse with them throughout this season, and they will surely hear more 3-1 chatter over the next two days as some pressure shifts to them while the series moves to their home.
Oh well, so much for Golden State sweeping Cleveland and going undefeated in the 2017 National Basketball Association playoffs/Finals. The champions had 49 points in the first quarter. "I think it was we played a desperate team on their home floor, a great team, with great players, and they came out and handed it to us". Before the game, Kerr, who missed 11 playoff games because of back pain, said his decision to return to the bench for Game 2 in the Finals was easy.
Warriors: Were trying to become the first team to complete a postseason unbeaten. "I want to see how it feels to win at home", he said. "But we'll go back and tee it up again".
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