SteemSports Presenter:
SteemSports Editor:
What a monster game for LeBron James! But the Cleveland Cavaliers still came up short against the Golden State Warriors, 124-114, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. It was a nail-biting game especially at the end of regulation and many stunning events occurred in the final minutes of the game. LeBron James had a historic night pushing Golden State to its limit. Many people speculate that the dubs will dominate this game and win this finals game easily, but the King shows everyone why he is “The King” and why he is the best player in the world. In my own opinion, this performance by LeBron is the exclamation point, LeBron is the MVP. He deserves to win the MVP award and steal it from James Harden. How can you rate this kind of performance in a finals game, he’s very consistent and he did enough to carry this team on his back. LeBron filled up the stat sheets with 51 big points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal and 1 block shooting 59.4 percent from the field and 3 for 7 from the three point line. Kevin Love added 21 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assists while JR Smith finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. George Hill only scored 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assists and 1 steal. Jeff Green had 7 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. Larry Nance Jr. played nicely off the bench finishing the game with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 1 steal.
Four quarters was not enough to finish this game and it needed an extra period to decide the winner of Game 1, and why not? These two teams fought a hard seven game series during their Western Conference and Eastern Conference Finals and they both win it on the road. LeBron did whatever it took for his team to win but still came up short in overtime. He shot 19 for 22 from the field in the opener of his eighth straight finals and ninth overall. They had a lot of chances and even took the lead at a few points during the game but this particular play was the worst thing that happened to the Cavs, when the game was actually tied and JR Smith got the offensive rebound from a George Hill’s missed free throw and thought that they had the lead and dribble the ball away until the time expires. LeBron was very upset in that play, as he was trying to call a timeout but the time ran out and they lost their chance to take the win. JR Smith didn’t admit that he thought they were ahead, instead he told the media that he knew the game was tied and he didn’t take the shot right after the rebound because KD stepped in front of him so he took it out in the three point area finding some space and then he saw Bron calling a timeout so he stopped and the time expired. But if you watch the replay, JR was seen talking to LeBron on that moment and telling LeBron that he thought they’re ahead.
There are many people that saw the game as if the Cavs got robbed and they would’ve won it. They said that the officiating was bad and in favor of the Golden State Warriors. Now lets take a look at some important and momentum changing plays that would explain why people have these point of views. First is the play with more than 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter the Cavs leading 92-91, Durant crossed over LeBron James and drove to the basket, but James recovered and stripped the ball out of Durant’s hands and a late whistle was blown by the referee. When you watch the replay, it was a clean strip and there was no contact at all but the call cannot be changed. James was very upset with the call because it was a momentum changer as Kevin Durant knocks down one of the two free throws to tie the game.
On the other end of the floor, a few minutes after the first incident, Golden State leading 94-92 with less than six minutes remaining, LeBron drove to the basket and Kevon Looney reached in and stole the ball, and no foul was called. It was clear on the replay that Looney hits the arms of LeBron that caused the turnover. James again was upset because they would’ve tied the ball game and gained some momentum.
Lastly, this was one of the most important plays, with 36 seconds remaining, Cavs up 104-102, Kevin Durant drove to the basket, LeBron took the charge and the referee called an offensive foul against Durant, but then the play was reviewed and they changed the call. They made it a blocking foul against LeBron James and Durant took care of the two free throws to tie the game. This was a heartbreaking call. How can you change a call in a very imperative situation? What kind of officiating was that? It was mind blowing and has never happened before. It is the Finals, how can a foul call be reversed? LeBron and Coach Ty Lue was arguing with the referee with full of disappointment but there’s nothing they can do.
Coach Lue was very disappointed with the officiating and very much disgusted to lose a finals game this way. “It’s never been done, ever in the history of the game”, Lue said. And for James’ performance, Lue said, “To do what he did tonight and come up robbed, it’s just not right.” James said in the postgame press conference that he read that play just as well as he read any play in his career, and maybe his whole life. He said that he saw the play happen and he was outside the restricted area and he knows he took the hit. Some people were unhappy with the officiating, and others praised the officials. One thing is for sure, Game 1 is over and the Cavs and the Warriors fans should move on and look forward to the next game and try to win the next game. Game 2 is on Sunday night at the Oracle Arena.
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