CLEVELAND -- Random dribbles prior to Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Cavaliers and Warriors:
1. I have no idea what to expect. How's that for some expert analysis? All I know is both teams could be up 2-0 in this series. I also know both teams seem to know that and both teams seem to be feeling OK as of this moment. Both teams seem to like their chances. Both also know that Game 3 is vital when it comes to taking control of a series.
2. How important is Game 3? Well, according to Elias Sports Bureau, the winner of Game 3 has gone on to win 31 of 37 Finals (when tied at 1-1). Of course, it's my personal opinion that you throw out all history when LeBron James is involved. Frankly, no deficit is a death sentence when he's on the team.
3. I said it after Game 1 and I'll keep repeating it over and over until you believe me: No series ends until someone wins four games. Period, end of discussion. So say it out loud, basketball-loving brothers and sisters. A lot of folks gave up on the Cavs after they lost Game 1 and Kyrie Irving was lost for the Finals. A lot of those folks are right back on the bandwagon. But that's what being a fan is all about, I suppose. And that's just fine.
4. As for home-court advantage, it does indeed count for something. The crowd will be energized (and then some) and it's just easier to shoot in gyms with which you're familiar. That's true at every level of basketball played everywhere in the world. But you can't count on that alone. The Cavs will need to continue to defend like they have -- and try to make Warriors star Steph Curry miserable and wish he was somewhere else.
5. The Cavs have won 26 of 28 at Quicken Loans Arena. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert tend to shoot better at home, and Tristan Thompson seems to play off the crowd and score more. Energy players such as Thompson especially seem to feed off the fans.
6. Meanwhile, the Warriors set a franchise record with 28 road wins in the regular season. They are 5-2 away from home in the playoffs.
7. Danny Crawford, Marc Davis and Derrick Stafford are the officials for Game 3. Let's hope they do a better job than the crew in Game 2 out in Oakland the other night. The best refs are the ones you never notice. I noticed the guys in the last game way too frequently. But all I know about the Game 3 crew is Davis always requests a "bold" cup of coffee prior to tipoff.
8. The family for Cavs coach David Blatt made the trip from Israel to attend the game. An Israeli reporter told me it's about a 17-hour flight. Although, the reporter's trip lasted 34 hours after a couple of strange delays and a seven-hour layover.
9. Speaking of strange trips, a plane reserved for media members traveling from San Francisco to Cleveland made an emergency landing in Denver. And by "emergency," I mean a Bay Area reporter suffered a kidney stone and needed immediate medical care. By the time the reporter was safely out of the plane and his luggage was found, the flight was delayed for four hours. Agitated reporters are never fun. Welcome to Believeland, guys.
10. Game 2 FYI: According to NBA.com/Stats, the Cavs compiled a "defensive rating" of 82.9 in Matthew Dellavedova's 42 minutes, and a defensive rating of 119.3 in the 11 minutes with him off the court. The Cavs are 5-0 in the postseason when Delly plays at least 30 minutes.
