James Jones still grinding away in NBA Finals

The Warriors shot 42 percent in Game 3 when both Klay Thompson and Steph Curry struggled to find a rhythm and James neutralized Draymond Green.

After failing to score 20 points in any of the first three games, he exploded for 38 points and drained seven three-pointers.

In Game 4, Stephen Curry finally showed up for the first time in the Finals, displaying the deadly shotmaking that made him the first-ever unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player.

Thompson made four 3-pointers and Curry knocked down three as the pair combined for 19 of Golden State’s 29 points in the period.

But yes, it’s fair to ask if the Cavs won by 30 because they match up better without Love, who rested with a concussion. He also had a pivotal 3 pointer in the 4th quarters that helped sealed the Dubs’ victory. In Patriot-like fashion, they put Wednesday’s blowout behind them immediately, and went out and put the Cavaliers away late with a business-like approach that would make Bill Belichick smile. “With guys like that, you can’t keep them down forever”. But if there’s one thing about champions, they are quick to respond.

The Warriors rebounded so well because they rebounded so well. This was by far the most competitive game of the series. It’s hard to win when that happens. It was a bad night for the Cavaliers’ offense to start their offseason.

The Cavs were 9 of 21 from the field in the fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving paced Cleveland with 34 points.

Irving was. He started strong and only got warmer as the game went along, mixing strong drives to the basket with nifty pull-up jumpers after a series of dribble moves. But that game woke up the Warriors. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook couldn’t beat the Warriors playing one-on-one, and neither can James and Irving.

From there, falling down 93-84 with under four minutes left, Cleveland didn’t have the firepower to fight their way back into the game. Tristan Thompson gave the Warriors fits in the first half, grabbing 5 offensive rebounds alone. All three then played all 12 fourth-quarter minutes as well. “(Cavs coach Tyronn) Lue told us to be aggressive.

For those that don’t think Curry is hurt, consider that the Cleveland Cavaliers are not defending Curry any differently than any other team has this season.

This series is over.

The Warriors took 31 free throws in the game; the Cavs took 26. The Cavs are good, but the Warriors are just better.

Green, who kicked Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams in the groin during the Western Conference finals, would be suspended for Game 5 if the league retroactively assesses a flagrant-1 foul.

Jefferson starting at small forward also means LeBron James starting at power forward. It forced James into Love’s role and changed matchups that opened more scoring chances. It is understandably killing him that he can’t bring a title to Cleveland.

Tempers flared in the final minutes when Green fell down and James tried stepping over his head as Green stood up. I honestly don’t know.

The Warriors are one win away from posting back-to-back National Basketball Association championships.