The Golden State Warriors were one win away from sweeping LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It would have been the second NBA Finals sweep in LeBron's career but Kyrie Irving turned up the heat and scored 40 points in Game 4 to win the game for the Cavaliers.
After the game, LeBron James faced the press and had nothing but praise for Irving after the win. According to James, it wasn't a surprise because Kyrie was built for the biggest moments and he said he is "just that special."
Kyrie Irving's performance in Game 4
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't just lose the first three games of the 2017 NBA Finals, but they were blown out of the first two.
The third was closer but still a loss. The last thing that LeBron James wanted was to get swept out of his second NBA Finals - the first time to do so since his first trip with the Cavaliers against the San Antonio Spurs.
Kyrie Irving made sure it didn't happen. In the Cavaliers win, Irving scored 40 points, pulled down seven rebounds, dished out four assists, and finished with one steal. His shooting percentage was 55-percent from the field on 15-of-27 shooting. While LeBron James finished with a tiple-double (31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds), it was Irving who led the way.
Kyrie Irving started off strong, hitting 11 of his first 14 shots and never let up. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the game, 137-116, in a runaway victory.
LeBron James talks Kyrie Irving
LeBron James sat down to talk to reporters and immediately spoke about how great Kyrie Irving is - especially in clutch moments of games and closeout situations.
LeBron said that Kyrie has been special when playing in closeout games when the season is on the line. He said that it isn't just his shooting and scoring but it is how he plays on both sides of the court.
James said that Irving is able to really shut down teams that are trying to beat them and close out those teams.
LeBron James said that Kyrie Irving was built for the biggest moments in the NBA and he showed that again in the NBA Finals Game 4 victory. James said that no one should be surprised to see Kyrie do this because he is "just that special."
The 2017 NBA Finals
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still alive.
For fans who remember last season. the Golden State Warriors were up three games to one and the Cavaliers roared back to win the NBA Finals. Of course, at that time, Cleveland won Game 3 and the Warriors won Game 4. The Cavaliers needed to win three straight to win the series.
This year, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to win four in a row, including the big Game 4 win. If that is to happen, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving need to prove they were, in fact, built to win.
