Matthew Dellavedova the Hero as Cavs Shock Warriors in Game 2 in OT
By Jason McIntyre
Matthew Dellavedova, filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving, played incredible defense on MVP Stephen Curry, and hit the game-winning free throws as short-handed Cleveland stunned Golden State in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, 95-93.
In a word, the game was bizarre. LeBron James had the 2nd 35-15-10 game in NBA Finals history, finishing with a heroic 39 points (11-of-34 FGs), 16 rebounds and 11 assists. But he missed a layup – he was fouled, refs didn’t call it – on the final play of regulation after the Cavs gagged a late lead. Cleveland was up 83-72 with 3:04 left and according to a win probability chart, had a 99.1 % chance of winning. They prevailed, but it certainly wasn’t easy.
Golden State, despite a horrible game from Curry, forced overtime, and had two chances to win in the final :15 after Dellavedova’s two free throws put the Cavs up one. But Curry airballed a step-back jumper, and then after LeBron made one of two free throws, Curry turned the ball over on a bad pass to Klay Thompson, and the Warriors will head to Cleveland tied at 1.
Curry’s struggles will be heavily scrutinized. He shot a woeful 5-of-23 from the field, including just 2-of-15 on three-pointers, and turned the ball over six times. It was his worst game of the season. Klay Thompson lead the Warriors with 34 points.
LeBron, happy.