The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 120 - 90, on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The victory reduced the Warriors' series lead to 2 - 1. With their backs already against the wall, the Cavs received the news earlier Wednesday that starting power forward Kevin Love would not be medically cleared to play in Game 3 due to the concussion he suffered in the first half of Game 2 on Sunday. His absence prompted a personnel shift that saw LeBron James start at power forward, with veteran Richard Jefferson coming in to the starting five at James' usual spot at small forward. Cleveland appeared unfazed by the lineup change early, as they ambushed Golden State out of the gate with a 90 run to start the game. They went on to win the quarter by a margin of 33 - 16, giving them a cushion they would n't relinquish. The Cavs also won the third period by a 12 - point margin, effectively sealing the victory at that point. One of the keys to the decisive and much - needed win was their defense against the Warriors' normally lethal long - range game, as they held the visitors to a 27 percent success rate from beyond the arc, and Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to a combined 29 points. The latter tally included a combined 4 - for - 16 performance for the vaunted Splash Brothers from long distance. Curry's 19 - point total did pace the Warriors, and he added three assists, a rebound and two steals. Harrison Barnes was right behind him with 18 points, eight rebounds and a trio of assists. Thompson contributed 10 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal, giving him only 36 points over the series' first three contests. Draymond Green notably managed a modest six points, seven rebounds, seven assists and a block. Andre Iguodala paced the reserves with 11 points and two rebounds. Cleveland's attack was spearheaded by James, who supplied a game - high 32 points and added 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal. Kyrie Irving stepped up in Love's absence as well, posting 30 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a steal. J.R. Smith came alive at just the right time after two subpar games to open the series, as he registered 20 points, four rebounds, an assist and a trio of steals. Tristan Thompson managed a 14 - point, 13 - rebound double - double that he supplemented with a pair of assists. Jefferson turned in a workmanlike effort with nine points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. The two teams meet again on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena for Game 4, when the Cavs will attempt to knot the series at 2 - 2.
["TeamStat(G,'Cavaliers') has 120 Percentage of 3 points ,has 33 Losses ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Warriors') has 27 Percentage of 3 points ,has 1 Losses ,has 90 Total points ,has 16 Points in 1st quarter ,has 2 Wins ."]