The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-101 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors have a 3-3 lead in the series with Game 7 on Sunday in Oakland at Oracle Arena.
NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers Defeat Golden State Warriors With Game 6 Win to Force Game 7
The Cavaliers jumped out to a quick lead and ended the first quarter 31-11. As most games, there was an ebb and flow and the Warriors closed the gap with a a 32-28 point advantage by the end of the first half.
LeBron James had another strong game. James scored 41 points with 11 assists and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith scored 15 and 14 points respectively Thompson also grabbed 16 rebounds.
Stephen Curry scored 30 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson added 25 points and Draymond Green added eight points and 10 rebounds after returning from one game suspension.
Cavaliers were able to force game seven on the same day that the Warriors clinched their NBA championship last year. Curry fouled out and appeared to throw his mouthguard into the stands.
Andrew Bogut‘s Absence Loomed Large
With Andrew Bogut out due to a knee injury, even the return of Green from suspension did not seem to help. Also, Warriors’ Andre Iguodala seemed affected by an injury.
The Warriors generally did not play well all game and had only spurts of the typical type of playing and scoring expected of this Warriors team. The Warriors had periods where they seemed to be on verge on returning to the game and then the Cavaliers withstood their charge.
No NBA Team has Come Back from 3-1 Deficit
No team has come back from a 3-1 deficit and won NBA Championship. The Warriors who already made history with 73 regular season wins, can become the seventh franchise with consecutive NBA titles with a victory in game 7 on Sunday.
