The Cleveland Cavaliers have their first NBA Finals victory at home ever, a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors, and a terrific opportunity to bring the city its first championship since 1964.
No thanks to LeBron James.
James saw his NBA Finals averages decline after Tuesday's Game 3 victory, putting up a paltry 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks. The Warriors clearly opted to "let" James have his 40.
To be clear, this is jest. James was phenomenal once again, putting an enormous, historic load on his shoulders and willing what he's coined the "grit squad" to a second consecutive victory, despite a woefully thinned-out, seven-man rotation. He's now averaging 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 8.3 assists through three games of the series, the most prolific start to an NBA Finals ever.
With 123 points in the series, James has eclipsed Rick Barry's 1967 output (122 points) for the most points ever in the first three games of an NBA Finals.
| Player | NBA Finals | Points (Games 1-3) |
|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | 2015 | 123 |
| Rick Barry | 1967 | 122 |
| Jerry West | 1969 | 118 |
| Michael Jordan | 1993 | 117 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 2000 | 116 |
Jerry West holds the all-time record for points in an NBA Finals with 265 in 1969, something James will have a shot at besting if the series goes seven games.
