NBA Finals Game 3 Prediction

Welcome to The Truda Report everybody. Today I'll be giving my prediction for tonight's Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Make sure to follow my Instagram @thetrudareport for updates on when I post and the freedom to comment what topics you want to hear about.

Game 3:
After watching the Golden State Warriors annihilate the Cleveland Cavaliers twice last week, I have lost a lot of faith in their ability to win a single game. I originally picked this series to go six games, with the Warriors winning, but I don't see that now. I think this series goes five games maximum, contingent on one thing - the Cavaliers slow down the pace of the game. The first two games of these Finals are the fastest paced games LeBron James has ever played in the Playoffs, and he has played 214 Playoff games (8th most all time). I think he and the Cavs need to realize that they can't beat the Warriors at their own game (fast pace, quick threes, finesse style of play). With the Cavaliers back at home their role players should definitely play better than they have previously this series, and if LeBron and Kyrie slow the pace and play hero ball, the Cavs have a shot.

I say all of this to set up a reality I think Cleveland fans need to face. If the Cavaliers don't slow the pace and lose tonight's game, this series will be over by midnight on Friday. It doesn't matter if Cleveland loses by one tonight; a third loss will be the end of their season. Of course, if the Cavs win, depending on how effective they are tonight (if they can blow out the Warriors), then they may be able to also snag a win in Game 4. I don't see that happening though, because even if the Cavs do slow the pace and make this game close I don't have confidence in them actually winning it.

Before I leave you, I'd like to bring up one news headline relating to what I have been saying. There is a report out saying Ty Lue is planning on speeding up the pace of the game even more tonight. I love Lue, and I think he is a good coach, but if David Blatt was fired for basically no reason, Lue not realizing the Cavs need to slow the pace should be a fire-able offense. In no way am I trying to say he should be fired, but based on the recent history of this Cavs team, this is the kind of thing I wouldn't put past LeBron.