Courtside

Heading into Game Three of the East Finals, not a few quarters pegged the Cavaliers to be all but dead in the water. The narrative of the series had changed, and with reason; from overwhelming favorites, they became heavy underdogs following lackluster performances in Games One and Two. Even as four-time Most Valuable Player LeBron James continued with his otherworldly ways, those around him failed to provide the needed support to prevent blowouts, let alone craft victories.
Still, the Cavaliers remained confident of their chances, and not just because of their experience competing from behind. To begin with, they knew that they had the ultimate trump card in James, and that all they had to do was show up and, well, be the best representation of themselves — or close to it — in order to prevail. A tall order in light of their immediate past clunkers? Perhaps. Then again, they had history telling them that they play much better at home, and that, more importantly, the Celtics play much worse on the road (at least so far in the postseason).
Indeed, the Cavaliers began their homestand yesterday with no small measure of self-assurance, even cockiness. And while bordering on the irrational, it undoubtedly proved beneficial to their cause. When the battlesmoke cleared, they found themselves on the win column, and how. True, James was outstanding anew; at the same time, he had significant help. All told, six players, including every other starter, hit double figures in a show of force that began from the opening tip and didn’t let up until the final buzzer.
Given, to say the Cavaliers dominated the match would be an understatement. In their 30-point, wire-to-wire shellacking of the Celtics, they dictated the tempo, exhibited better shot selection, and had more rebounds, assists, and steals. And, yes, they showed up on the other end of the court as well, holding the Celtics to a woeful 39.2% clip from the field. Nonetheless, they’re no fools, and understand that they have to be just as resolute tomorrow. The going for them hasn’t been made any easier.
Bottom line, the Cavaliers still require three more victories to forge just the 20th Zero-two comeback out of 301 instances in National Basketball Association history. If they show up from here on as they did yesterday, then well and good. If not, then they need to brace themselves for the inevitable fall from grace, and the long summer that will come with it.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.