The Cleveland Cavaliers were given a horrible sense of deja vu on Wednesday night as Kevin Durant broke their hearts in an almost identical fashion for the second consecutive year.Trailing 0-2 from the first two games of the NBA Finals, the Cavs returned home hoping to claw their way back into the series.But just like last season, Durant wasn't going to let that happen and inspired the Golden State Warriors to a 110-102 victory at Quicken Loans Arena to give them a 3-0 lead in the series.The defending champions became the first team in NBA history to hold a 3-0 advantage in back-to-back Finals.With the Dubs down by two in the final minute of last year's Game 3 encounter, KD hit a huge three over LeBron James to give his team a lead that they wouldn't relinquish and effectively sealed the title.A year on, the reigning Finals MVP produced a similar shot to end the Cavaliers' hopes of making a comeback.With under a minute left, he drilled a deep dagger three-pointer over the outstretched arm of J.R. Smith with just four seconds remaining on the shot clock.
It increased the Warriors' lead from three to six and ended the game as a contest as the Cavs struggled to find a way back.
Historic
This was the exclamation point in an incredible performance by the former Oklahoma City Thunder superstar where he single-handedly led the Oakland-based outfit to the win.
He ended the night with a playoff career-high of 43 points, along with 13 rebounds and five assists on an efficient 16-of-23 shooting and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The nine-time All-Star's display was legendary and he put himself alongside truly elite company with the numbers he put up.
The 29-year-old became just the fourth player since 1985 to post 40+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a Finals game, per ESPN.
Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James are the only other three players to have accomplished this feat in the last 33 years.
He also becomes just the sixth player to put up these number in a road game in the Finals.
"That was amazing what he did out there tonight," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, per ESPN's Chris Haynes. "Some of those shots, I don't think anybody in the world can hit those but him. He was incredible."
After the game, LeBron paid the ultimate respect to his rival by calling him "one of the best players I've ever played against that this league has ever seen."
Durant is once again proving to be the difference between the two teams and is on the verge of capturing his second ring in two years with the Bay Area franchise.
His arrival in 2016 changed the landscape of the NBA and there's no doubt that the Golden State dynasty will continue for years to come with him on the team.
CLICK HERE to listen to Episode Two of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring New York Times senior writer Marc Stein. Subscribe for all future episodes.