Is Game 6 the biggest game in the history of Cleveland sports? – USA TODAY

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Former NBA player Eddie Johnson on how the Cavs and Warriors will approach what could be the final game of the NBA playoffs.
USA TODAY Sports

Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

On Sept. 8, 1995, the Cleveland Indians clinched the American League Central Division title, stamping their ticket to the playoffs for the first time in 41 years. Jump ahead to Dec. 29, 2002, where William Green busted off a 64-yard touchdown run earning the Browns their first (and only) playoff appearance since returning to Cleveland in 1999.

Both were huge moments in Cleveland’s — for better or for worse — sports history, and both took place on home turf.

However, when LeBron James and the Cavaliers return to the friendly confines of Quicken Loans Arena and take the floor for Game 6 of the NBA Finals Thursday night, it’ll be the biggest sporting event The Land’s ever seen. Here’s why:

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No team in NBA Finals history has come back from being down 3-1. But after taking advantage of Draymond Green’s absence in Game 5, the Cavs put themselves in position to make history. The next stop is winning one more at home, something the Cavs have grown accustomed to doing.

The Cavs were 33-8 at home during the regular reason and are an astounding 8-1 when Defending The Land during the playoffs. On the flip side, the Warriors were an impressive 34-7 on the road during the season, but have been less than stellar during the playoffs at 4-5.

It’s almost poetic, really.

Practically everyone and anyone wrote off the Cavs when they fell flat on their face during Games 1 and 2 on the road. Then comes LeBron, arguably the most scrutinized player in the league, with a 32-point, 11-rebound performance to keep Cleveland’s championship dream alive.

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The Warriors took Game 4, and all seemed lost heading into Game 5 at Oracle Arena. Then Northeast Ohio’s Knight in Wine and Gold armor stepped up in the biggest of ways, yet again, stuffing the stat book, with 41 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.

This isn’t to say Kyrie Irving’s 30 and 41 point offensive showcases in Games 3 and 5, respectively, weren’t impressive. But let’s be honest, LeBron has saved this team time and time again. He single handedly carried the load last year and is doing it again this year.

Worst case scenario: The Cavs lose Game 6 on their home floor and the Warriors will celebrate their second consecutive title in Cleveland once again, and it’ll be just another chapter in the story of the most tortured sports city in America.

But if they win?

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The Cavs will be one step closer to making history, in more ways than one. Cleveland’s hometown hero would bring his city its first major sports championship in 52 years, winning in nearly impossible fashion by coming back from a 3-1 deficit.

This budding story can’t be real, can it?

We’ll find out when we turn the page for the next chapter, which tips off at 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Follow Adam Woodard on Twitter @AdamWoodard.