NBA Finals off to an odd start
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 NBA Finals opener that was ripe to be taken away from the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavs spent Friday trying to recover from one of the oddest and possibly debilitating defeats in title series history, and they were also awaiting word from the NBA on the status of two of their key big men for Game 2 on Sunday night in Oakland.
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 124-114 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. He then retreated to the bench area immediately, so he did not deserve punishment, the league ruled. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league had not announced a ruling.
As of Friday evening, there had been no ruling on possible 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.
Cavs guard George Hill said it would be “petty” if it warranted a suspension. The Warriors, aiming to repeat as league champions and win their third title in four years, weren’t concerned about how the league would rule.
“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.4
James appeared to draw a charge on Kevin 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 they 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 but missed the second. Smith grabbed the offensive rebound, but instead of putting it back up or passing to James, who was open up top, he dribbled toward the half-court line and threw a pass, running out the clock.
After the game, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said 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 said he talked to Smith about what happened but wouldn’t give an explanation. Lue expects a big 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. “So he’s definitely going to start again. He’s a big part of what we do. That last play is over, it’s behind us, and now we’ve got to move on.”
Hill said he couldn’t sleep Thursday night, reliving the missed free throw.
“I felt like the team did a great job. Put ourselves in a (position) to win the game. Me not hitting the free throw, I feel like cost our team the win. And I dealt with that last night,” he said. “We’re moving on as a team. We blew our chance, blew our opportunity. But we’ve got to focus on Game 2 now.”
Golden State defensive standout Andre Iguodala remains doubtful as he tries to recover from a bone bruise in his left knee that has sidelined him for the past five games. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala is improving each day but still not expected to be healthy enough for Game 2.
Kerr’s bigger concern is figuring out a way to make things tougher on James after he scored 51 points on 19-for-32 shooting in the opener, when he was able to repeatedly drive to the basket.
“I didn’t think we were very good against him last night,” Kerr said. “I thought he was spectacular, but I didn’t think we made it that difficult for him. That’s always the challenge when you play a great player. There is this balance between accepting that he’s going to get his numbers but making it difficult.
“I never felt like we got him out of any sort of comfort zone last night.”