CLEVELAND — LeBron James had stuffed another playoff game full of his usual brilliance. He scored. He passed. He rebounded. He defended. After two lopsided losses to start the N.B.A. finals, the Cavaliers fell in line behind him as they spent much of Wednesday evening fending off the Golden State Warriors.
It was basketball at its best. Both teams exchanged ferocious blows. Both teams responded. But in the final minute, James — perhaps the most fearsome player on the planet — found himself in an unusual position: helpless. He could only watch as Kevin Durant of the Warriors sank a 3-pointer over the top of him, one final jolt from which the Cavaliers could not recover.