And the Winner is: The Grit Squad?

LeBron James shows an out pour of emotion after an exhausting and grimy 95-93 OT win in Game 2 at Oracle Arena. 

By: Lamar "L.A." Smith

"That's what it is, its the grit squad that we have. It's not cute at all, if you looking for us to play sexy cute basketball then that's not us."

LeBron responded in this manner when asked about how Cleveland has continued to evolve in the playoffs. Cleveland has loss an All-Star (Kyrie Irving) and a former All-Star (Kevin Love) this postseason. Winning Game 2 made Cleveland the first team in NBA history to win a game in the NBA Finals without two of the team's top 3 scorers and was the Cavs first NBA Finals win ever.

LeBron is averaging 41.5 ppg 12 rpg 8.5 apg in the NBA Finals thus far and was a few seconds away from taking both games in Oracle Arena. LeBron is the best player in basketball and it is proving it to all of us watching the Finals.

"You don't let me get 40. I go get 40."

This was LeBron's response to the Warriors game plan to let LeBron score and keep his teammates from getting involved in the game. LeBron's bravado has been something new, showing the growing confidence he has in the maturation in his game. The most important stat as Game 3 is previewed is LeBron put up 40 points in a win in "Roaracle".

5 Major Game 3 Adjustments

1. Warriors need to get Stephen Curry some easy shots early on in the game to help the 2015 MVP to bounce back from an atrocious shooting night which was probably the worst shooting night he's ever had and if not this was the worst shooting night of his NBA career. Curry shot 2/15 from 3-pt range and missed more 3-pt shots in a game than anyone else in NBA Finals history. Golden State needs to find ways to get Curry open because if not Cleveland maybe the only team stirring the pot heading into Game 4.
2. Matthew Dellavedova will need to get a good nap in before the game, drink some Red Bull and whatever else to get ready for Game 3 because wings maybe the only thing able to help Delly slow Curry down again. Curry was 0/8 with 6 turnovers when guarded by Delly in the halfcourt, don't count on this happening again.
3. Golden State needs to go at LeBron on defense. LeBron has played 96 of 106 possible minutes through the first two games of the Finals. He's only human, checking Harrison Barnes who doesn't take a whole bunch of shots a game helps him to reserve a little bit of rest during the game.
4. Cleveland needs to not allow the game to be played fast. Golden State is a better team with the better players. Cleveland's only chance is to play gritty defense and play the game in the half court. A generational superstar in LeBron James will assist the Cavs in controlling pace but, take a lesson from the Grizzlies an up-tempo game will not be won versus the Golden Boys.
5. Where is the pace and space offense? Erik Spoelstra made postionless basketball popular. Mike D'Antoni started the "7 Seconds or Less Offense". The Warriors have used both methods to score at a high clip. The Warriors have the best offense in the league, so prove it.

Who The Refs Choosing

The NBA admits three fouls were missed by the referees at the end of the game.

• The Refs missed an obvious travel on LeBron James with about 45 seconds left.
• Andre Iguodala clearly fouled LeBron late in OT, though this doesn't weigh on the game much because LeBron traveled on the play.
• Draymond Green held LeBron on the jump ball in overtime which was a clear foul.

This series has been very physical and the refs been letting the players play and have not been calling a lot of ticky-tack fouls. As Stephen A. Smith so eloquently said on ESPN's First Take 'If the refs let the players play and the game remains physical, Cleveland has a chance to win this series even without Kyrie and Kevin Love.' I agree Cleveland will try to play a grimy game at a slow pace and shall Cleveland prevail this will still be a tight series. We should all expect the officiating to have something to do with dictating tempo in this series.

The Game 3 Winner Is?

Golden State will play much more aggressive and should take Game 3. On the other side of the court LeBron understands how important Game 3 is when the series is tied 1-1 considering teams who win Game 3 are 31-6 in the NBA Finals. Chef Curry been stirring his pot for two days after hearing the ridiculous Delly is the Steph-Stopper talks. Great players play great after awful performances so, expect a large helping of Curry Stew in Quicken Loans Arena tonight as the Warriors take Game 3. Though, as we learned the King still has a lot to say about this series therefore "watch the throne".