The 2015 NBA Finals have almost taken shape following the two basketball games in the association that were played this weekend. Barring a miracle, the championship series should be between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Golden State, playing on Saturday evening, extended their series lead over the Houston Rockets to 3-0. The importance of the game three win for the Warriors was that, for the first time in the series, they were playing as a road team. Had Houston defended their home court, it may have created a long-series situation for GS, something that they have now likely avoided.
Houston may have come back from 1-3 in the second round but coming back from 0-3, against a better team than the one they faced last round, should prove too large of a hill to climb. That is especially true given that the Rockets would have to win two games on the road if they were to advance to the NBA Finals this season. Most will be looking for the Warriors to wrap up their series against Houston in four or five games now, with game four coming from Texas on Monday night.
Sunday night’s NBA game featured the Cleveland Cavaliers playing their first game of the Eastern Conference Finals on home court. The Cavs took two road-wins into game three with Lebron James doing a whole lot of scoring down in Atlanta.
In game three the Cavaliers dodged a loss that could have changed the complexion of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals. Atlanta had chances to win game three however a missed buzzer beater at the end of regulation kept the Cavs’ hopes alive. Atlanta, after falling behind Cleveland in overtime, had to attempt two more late shots to tie but both of those missed as well.
It’s fair to say that the Hawks, although they played their best game of the series, weren’t exactly clutch in game three. Consequently, they are all but done in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals as the Cavs are now ahead 3-0.
Returning from such a deficit is not something that happens that much in any sport. It has happened in NHL Hockey recently and it has happened in Major League Baseball in the not-too-distant past. However in NBA basketball, the feat is still without precedent.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible but, with Atlanta and Houston both now priced at 250 to 1 to win the title (William Hill), a Golden State vs. Cleveland match-up in the NBA Finals is all but official.