Cleveland Cavaliers, JR Smith must prove Game 3 can be replicated

The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding high after a Game 3 win against the Boston Celtics, but what about this team suggest they’ll be as good in Game 4?

1. The difference with the Cavaliers from Games 1 and 2? Cleveland made shots.

J.R. Smith finally bothered to attend a playoff game. He was 3-of-4 from downtown. Kyle Korver was 4-of-4 on 3’s.

Add it all up and the Cavs’ two best shooters were 7-of-8 from 3-point range.

Their performances fueled the Game 3 win, and while Cleveland is certainly capable of replicating their latest effort, it’s also entirely possible the Wine & Gold will fall flat on their face in Game 4.

Consistently inconsistent. That’s the storyline with everyone on this squad not named LeBron James.

Cleveland lives and dies by the 3. When shots fall, they can be unstoppable. When they don’t, well, they got what they got in Game 2.

The headline here is certainly negative, but until the Cavaliers’ role players give their fanbase a reason to trust them, the Cavs are no lock to tie the series up at 2-2.

2. Ty Lue re-discovers Larry Nance

It’s great Larry Nance is contributing. I don’t blame Nance for basically being a no-show most of the postseason. That blame goes to Ty Lue.

Nance was such an impact player immediatley after the trade deadline deal that brought the northeast Ohio native home.

Then, he regressed under Lue.

But in the Eastern Conference Finals, Nance is teaming with Tristan Thompson to make life very difficult for Al Horford. The Celtics’ power forward has never had a reputation for being a brute, and Nance and Thompson physically had  their way with him Game 3.

Additionally, Nance isn’t thought of as a huge weapon, but don’t discount what he means to the offense with his ability to make plays like this:

3. As goes George Hill…

A trend in the playoffs: When George Hill plays well, Cleveland usually wins.

After a dismal start to the series where he accounted for 11 points and one measly assist in Games 1  and 2, Hill scored 13 points in Game 3, with 11 coming in the first quarter.

Hill’s fiancee had to lay into him following his poor efforts to start the series, according to The Athletic’s Tom Reed.

"“(She) tells me how it is,” Hill said. “She doesn’t sugarcoat it.”"

Hill inserted himself immediately and played a role, by way of scoring and assisting, in the Cavs’ first nine points.

A plea to Hill’s fiancee, Samantha: Keep going Skip Bayless on him! It’s your civic duty!

4. If LeBron can get help…

LeBron James had 27  points and 12 assists. History says LeBron will be fine when trailing 2-1.

Stats and references are great, but LeBron’s supporting cast will ultimately decide whether the 2018 Celtics will be added to this list.

Will the shooters around LeBron make shots?

Next: 5 best NBA Draft fits to play with LeBron James with the 8th pick

If the answer is yes, Cleveland will be playing in its fourth straight NBA Finals.