The Cleveland Cavaliers had an unexpected opportunity to "steal" Game One from the Golden State Warriors. True, they wound up losing by 10 points in overtime, but it could be argued they could have -- perhaps should have -- won the game in regulation. One made free throw -- instead of a miss -- or J.R. Smith not going brain dead with a few seconds remaining likely would have put them over the top.
But they blew it.
To nobody's great surprise, the Warriors thumped Lebron and the Cavs in Game Two.
Golden State now leads the series 2-0 as it moves back to Cleveland. Is it over?
Technically no.
After all, the Cavaliers were down 2-0 to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, and came back to win -- including an unlikely victory at Boston in Game Seven of that series. The first home loss the Celtics had endured throughout the playoffs. In that game, as noted a few days ago in this space, the Celtics either went temporarily blind, became spastic, or flat-out choked. Their shooting was just that atrocious. Brick, after brick, after brick, from a usually very good shooting team.
So the question now becomes -- can Lebron, through sheer will-power (and maybe a few more 50 point games), lead the Cavs past the Warriors in similar fashion?
The answer ------
Nope. Ain't gonna happen.
The Dubs aren't the Beaners. Far from it.
No doubt, Cleveland will come out with maximum effort in Game Three of the series. And it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see them win it.
But look for the Warriors to "steal" one of the next two games in Ohioland.
Barring any major injuries, Golden State is just too much for Cleveland.
Dubs in 5.
And then the Lebron James free-agency circus will begin.
Will he stay? Will he go? And if the latter -- where?
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