Philippines, 20 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


2015 NBA Finals Game 3 -- Cavs avert disaster, hold off Warriors for 2-1 series lead


PhilBoxing.com




CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Cavaliers watched their 20-point lead dwindle down to a single point before holding on to a 96-91 Game 3 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night at a jampacked Quicken Loans Arena.

After center Timofey Mozgov's alley-oop dunk gave Cleveland a 68-48 bubble with 2:51 left in the third quarter, the Warriors came charging back with a 32-13 run that brought them to within 81-80 with still 2:45 to go in the final period.

Just as the momentum appeared to have shifted, Matthew Dellavedova converted a 3-point play while LeBron James buried a deep 3 to put the Cavs back up 87-80. It was just enough cushion for Cleveland to protect its homecourt and seize a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 NBA Finals.

Playing in front of a capacity crowd of 20,562, James flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The four-time league MVP made 14 of 34 field goals and 10 of 12 free throws.

Unlike Games 1 and 2 at the Oracle Arena in Cleveland where help was scant, LeBron found plenty of support at home.

Matthew Dellavedova, starting at point guard in place of the injured Kyrie Irving (broken kneecap), fueled the Cavs with 20 points and several hustle plays. Jr. Smith and Tristan Thompson (13 rebounds) contributed 10 apiece as the Cavs shot 46.1 percent from the field (35 of 76) and 42.9 percent from long distance (9 of 21).

"It's just a group that is willing to play as hard as they can to win. and when you do that, you can live with any consequence. We may bend sometimes, but we haven't broken. We don't break. Lot of character in that room, and they're bringing it on the floor," Cavs head coach David Blatt said after Game 3.

It was an especially tough loss for the Warriors, who dominated the rebounds, 46-43, and dished more assists, 21-16.

Steph Curry led the Warriors with 27 points. Andre Iguodala had 15 while Klay Thompson accounted for only 14. Golden State shot just 40 percent from the field (36 of 90) and 35.3 percent from 3-point land (12 of 34).


Photos: LeBron James (top photo) and Matthew Dellavedova (above) combined for 60 points to power the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 96-91 Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors. With a 2-1 series lead, the Cavs are two games away from the NBA title.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony Rozic.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 3rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.