CLEVELAND - As Game 3 of the NBA finals gets underway, basketball fans in Cleveland packed the Quicken Loans Arena to witness the showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tickets to the game, which went for upwards of US$3,400, were sold out. Fans without tickets organised makeshift parties in pubs throughout the downtown area.

It was a sombre affair inside the Cavaliers locker room. Players know the importance of the upcoming game. Historically, any team that takes Game 3 wins the title 81 per cent of the time.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, whose current roster boasts star forward Lebron James and upcoming guard Matthew Dellavedova, has never come as close as this to the title.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are facing their first finals test on the opposing team's home court.

NBA Most Valuable Player Steph curry has to rebound from a poor performance in Game 2 in Oakland, where the Cavs won 95-93

The best of 7 series is tied at one game each.