OAKLAND, Calif.: The Warriors’ emotional leader wasn’t allowed to set foot in Oracle Arena until after the game, but the Cavaliers still faced what could have been an overwhelming task Monday night when they stepped into Draymond’s den.
“Free Draymond” signs and chants dominated Oracle Arena after tempestuous forward Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5 of the NBA Finals for punching LeBron James in the groin on Friday.
The penalty sparked a war of words on Sunday, with the Warriors’ Klay Thompson suggesting James’ feelings had been hurt by some routine trash talking. The Warriors blasted James for disrespectfully stepping over Green, precipitating Green’s retaliation.
It made for a vicious atmosphere in the possible closeout game. Not as ugly and hate-filled as when James returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat in 2010. But James was still cast as the villain, booed every time he touched the ball.
The basketball carried the same tone. The play was physical, intense and bruise-inducing. Breathtaking athleticism was mixed in with air balls and 33 turnovers and fruitless trips to the free-throw line.
The Cavs matched the Warriors’ heart and passion and played their most inspired basketball of the series, coming away with a 112-97 victory. Kyrie Irving and James both scored 41 points, the first time in Finals history that teammates had scored 40-plus. Irving hit 17-of-24 from the field and handed out six assists. James pulled down 16 rebounds and handed out seven assists.
Thompson was just as brilliant, scoring 37 points, 26 in the first half. Stephen Curry added 25 but made only 8-of-21 shots as the Cavs denied the Warriors the chance to capture their second consecutive championship on their home court.
The Warriors lead the series 3-2 going into Game 6 Thursday night in Cleveland.
James felt the fans’ wrath before he reached the arena. Hundreds of Warriors supporters waiting outside the Cavs’ hotel taunted James as he boarded the bus. Signs like “Draymond Hurt My Feelings” were all over Oracle. The back of one had a parody of James’ “Not 1, Not 2, Not 3” prediction when he went to the Heat. Warriors owner Joe Lacob wore a Green jersey to the game.
When the Cavs took the court, the DJ dried his eyes with his fists, mimicking James’ whining over the incident with Green. James insisted Sunday he was taking the high road and kept his comments largely to himself.
Coming in, few outside of their own locker room gave the Cavs a chance, even with Green’s suspension the possible equalizer. Green is the Warriors’ most versatile player and one of their best defenders. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, James had hit 5-of-14 shots and lost four turnovers when guarded by Green, while Kevin Love was 5-of-13 and Irving 4-of-12.
Yet there were other daunting numbers for the Cavs to overcome.
The Warriors lost for just the fourth time in 54 games at home this season, including playoffs.
They had won six consecutive Game 5s, dating back to the 2010 conference semifinals.
Curry and Thompson finally got hot in an 11-point victory in Game 4 in Cleveland, with Curry tossing in a career Finals-high 38 points.
The Cavs, meanwhile, are trying to become the first of 33 teams in league history to rally from a 3-1 deficit and capture the NBA title. James kept alive his amazing streak of 26 consecutive playoff series with at least one road victory.
Judging from the Warriors’ comments, Green’s suspension seemed to ignite and unify them.
“If there was any edge missing, it’s definitely there now,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Game 5.
When it was suggested to Cavs coach Tyronn Lue that those emotions could give the Warriors the edge, Lue said, “We’ve got a fire lit, too — we’re down 3-1.”
For too much of the season the Cavs cruised along, trying to switch on their intensity when they needed it. On Monday night, they showed what they were capable of, denying a team seeking the label as the greatest of all time after winning a record 73 games in the regular season.
If they can sustain their level of play in Game 6, the Cavs now have a chance to achieve what once seemed impossible.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.