Cavs try to recover from Game 1 blunder
OAKLAND, Calif. — J.R. Smith’s blunder, a disputed replay overturn and a key missed free throw dealt the Cleveland Cavaliers an emotionally crushing loss in an opener of the NBA Finals that was ripe to be taken away from the defending champion Warriors.
The Cavs spent yesterday trying to recover from one of the oddest and possibly debilitating defeats in the Finals, and awaiting word from the NBA on the status of two key big men for Game 2 tomorrow night.
Kevin Love will not be suspended for leaving the bench and being on the court during an altercation in the closing seconds of Cleveland’s 124114 overtime loss Thursday night. A person familiar with the decision said the league ruled Love left the bench to argue a flagrant foul against teammate Tristan Thompson and not to join the altercation. The league has not announced a ruling.
There has been no ruling yet on discipline for Thompson, who was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul against Shaun Livingston and then shoved a ball into Draymond Green’s face before leaving the court.
“I thought it was unnecessary when he shoved the ball in Draymond’s face,” guard Klay Thompson said. “That was very uncalled for, especially if two guys are just talking. That’s not the way to play. But honestly, I don’t care if he plays or not.”
Everyone is still trying to figure out what went on in the final minute of regulation in Game 1. It started after LeBron James converted a three-point play to give Cleveland a 104-102 lead with 50 seconds left.
James appeared to draw a charge on Durant. But officials went to the replay to see if James was in the restricted area, which would make it a block. While James was clearly outside the restricted area, officials also had the chance to review whether James was in legal guarding position and changed the call to a block because they determined he turned his body and moved into Durant.
Then the game really went off the rails when Hill got fouled with 4.6 seconds left and the Cavs trailing by one. He made the first free throw to tie it, missed the second.
Smith grabbed the rebound, but instead of putting it back up or passing to an open James, he dribbled toward halfcourt and threw a pass, running out the clock.
Coach Tyronn Lue said after the game Smith thought the Cavs were ahead, although Smith said he knew the game was tied and was waiting for a timeout to be called. Lue expects a bounceback performance in Game 2.
“J.R. can shake off anything, and when everybody tends to count J.R. out, that’s when he comes through,” Lue said. “That last play is over, it’s behind us, and now we’ve got to move on.”