Thanks so much for following the blog today and I hope it has added something to your viewing of the series.
I plan to be back with you on Saturday for game four, I know the temptation will be to tune out expecting a Warriors clean sweep but I'm not ruling out some last King James magic....
Game four is Saturday morning at 11am. I will see you all then.
Greatness doesn't change just because it has company. Kevin Durant has proven this without doubt.
With his Golden State Warriors struggling and Cleveland poised to get a priceless game three win, the former Oklahoma City superstar put on the playoff performance of his career with 43 points and 13 rebounds as the Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Fellow superstar Stephen Curry had a horror night shooting 1-10 from the three-point line but his one three came in the final minutes. Otherwise Durant stole the show.
The Warriors can close out their second-straight championship in Cleveland on Saturday morning AEST and right now it looks a case of when, not if, they will claim this year's title.
We know with the Warriors and Cavs that three wins don't guarantee a title but Durant's stunning display and playoff career high plus some vital late plays from Curry, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green gave them a 110-102 win.
LeBron James had a triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and he finally had some strong scoring support from teammates as Rodney Hood scored 15 points, Kevin Love scored 20 points and JR Smith added 13 points.
But his supporting cast pales into insignificance when compared to Durant, Curry, a quiet Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. There is a contest but one that heavily slanted towards the Warriors.
James looked despondent as he went to the huddle after Durant drained a danger three-pointer in the final minute, it may have been the knockout blow in this series.
But no one will give up on James regrouping and throwing everything at one last win. Game four is high noon for the Warriors, for James in Cleveland and for his impending free agency.
For the Warriors the challenge will be to put their collective foot on the Cavs' throats.
Durant did the squeezing in game three, the question may be who puts the foot down in game four.
The championship is within reach.
Steve Kerr's press conference after the Warriors game three win today. Some answers edited for brevity.
On KD: I don't think anyone else in the world could make some of those shots tonight. He was incredible.
In Iggy: I didn't expect to play him 22 minutes. But he just never gets tired, he is plus 14. Typical Andre line. He gives us another guy to guard, LeBron and other to keep us on the path.
He banged his other leg, I don't think it was the knee that has been injured.
On KD and Curry struggling: The beauty of this team and the luxury of having big time scorers. There will be nights like this for all of them.
Curry still found a way to score a big three at the end, he always does that.
They lift each other up when one has a rough night.
Did you initiate offence with KD: We were running a lot of screen and rolls. Kevin got it rolling so we flipped it around with Steph setting some screens and I just like the way KD is attacking.
He is attacking right away on the catch, it's devastating when he does that.
On JaVale McGee: He has been great, just like rest of the guys. We have a team full of guys who understand their number will sometimes be called, sometimes not.
JaVale has been in and out of the lineup but he stayed ready, got his work in with the rest of the guys and he is getting a huge lift now.
On whether Durant's rebounds are an indicator of his form: Kerr agrees: His overall game was ridiculous tonight, every time we needed a bucket tonight it seemed he got it for us.
On how they defended LeBron: I don't think he wore down but it helped us having Andre back tonight, helped us stay fresher. LeBron will do what he does. Having Andre out there for 20 minutes gave others a rest and we stayed fresher.
Paul Pierce said he believes KD just claimed the NBA Finals MVP by again starring in game three with 43 points.
"Steph just lost it" Pierce said.
Not sure I agree but I doubt KD or Curry will care if they are dancing in confetti after game four!
Jalen Rose says today was the wake for the Cavs and game four is the funeral....
Warriors win, Warriors lead 3-0 and can close out the championship on Saturday morning AEST when game four tips off...
Iguodala was meant to have a "leg contusion" or bone bruise or whatever....then he throws down this dunk late in the fourth....was a huge moment.
The Warriors are one victory away from back to back NBA championships.
Durant (43 points) was immense tonight, it was a career night for him in playoffs.
On the last three: "I just wanted to get a good look, not fall over and give them an advantage, and it felt good out of my hands."
Curry struggled but KD said Curry's late three gave them seperation and some momentum into the final minutes.
JR misses a three, Warriors get the ball and Cavs start fouling.
This one is done. Warriors will go 3-0 up. 11 seconds to play after Curry shoots free throws.