| |
|
2015 NBA Finals -- Despite injuries, Cavs giving Warriors a good fight
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Jun 2015
Tagbilaran City, Bohol ? Many have written off the Cleveland Cavaliers after they lost All Stars Kevin Love (separated shoulder) and Kyrie Irving (fractured left kneecap) to season-ending injuries.
Many experts have predicted a Warriors sweep in these NBA Finals, but the undermanned Cavs have put up an incredible fight and heading into Game 5 today, the series is knotted at 2-2.
Love's outside shooting has certainly been missed by the Cavs, ditto with Irving's multi-layered talents -- dribble penetration, running the offense, scoring and defense.
But two other Cavs have filled in nicely.
Tristan Thompson, who averaged 9.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in the East semis against the Chicago Bulls, is again eating up the boards in the Finals, grabbing 54 rebounds through four games. The 24-year old has also scored a modest 26 points.
An athletic big man who can obviously play on both ends of the floor, Thompson has been a valuable asset against the sharp-shooting Warriors team that likes to play a lot of small-ball.
Matthew Dellavedova, meanwhile, is making a string of star-making performances while assuming the point guard slot from Irving.
After going scoreless in Game 1, Delly has racked up 39 points from Games 2 to 4, while his assists total for the series is 12. The 6-foot-4 Australian, a combo guard, was instrumental in the Cavs' close wins in Games 2 and 3 by hitting timely threes and sinking crucial free throws.
One of Dellavedova's greatest feats yet is helping slow down MVP Steph Curry, the Warriors juggernaut who has been relatively quiet in these Finals.
Delly's physical play has bumped, held and made Curry really uncomfortable.
The loss of Love and Irving is obviously a tough pill to swallow, but thanks to LeBron James and his 38 points a game average, the Cavs are somehow still in the running to win this whole thing and end Cleveland's 51-year drought for a major sports championship.
It's amazing to see King James score these many points to fuel the Cavs' offense, but at the end of the day, its defense that wins championships.
Comments are highly appreciated. You may email them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph or follow me on twitter @reylan_l
Photo: LeBron James is keeping the Cleveland Cavaliers afloat in these NBA Finals.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Salita Promotions and Puerto Rico’s Fresh Productions Present IBF World Title Eliminator Subriel Matías vs. Gabriel Valenzuela
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Stanford’s Dante Kirkman Returns to the Ring on March 8 at Thunder Valley Casino Resort
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025JONES FACES MASTRONUNZIO ON PRO DEBUT IN ORLANDO
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025April 5: Unified Middleweight World Champion Janibek Alimkhanuly To Defend WBO & IBF World Titles Against Anauel Ngamissengue in Historic Kazakhstan Homecoming LIVE on ESPN+
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Heavy hands, short night for undefeated Brooklyn Heavyweight Prospect Pryce Taylor Scored devastating 2nd round TKO in Flint
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Three Lions Promotions wins Jack/Rozicki purse bid WBC World Cruiserweight Champion Badou Jack vs. Ryan Rozicki coming to Canada
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025World Boxing to hold Extraordinary Congress March 1st to approve new membership applications
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boxing Insider Promotions to bring upscale pro boxing club show back to Times Square
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025The President of the World Boxing Organization and the Secretary of Recreation and Sports of Puerto Rico Strengthen Ties to Benefit Boxing and Puerto Rican Youth
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Johnny Wellem Carzano rules Misamis Occidental active open chess championship
, Thu, 06 Feb 2025Boston Celtics Upend Cleveland, 112-105, Reduce Cavs Lead in the NBA Eastern Conf
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025The Past Week in Action 4 February 2025: Benavidez Beats Morrell; Fulton Outpoints Figueroa; Shields Defeats Perkins
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: Historic Riyadh Season Blockbuster Set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Xander Zayas: “This is the Most Important Fight of My Career!”
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Mano Mano sa Candelaria 3: Gemino Outpoints Mancito
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 05 Feb 2025THE TALENTED AND UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DARIUS “DFG” FULGHUM RETURNS AS CO-MAIN EVENT FOR DUARTE VS. PROGRAIS
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš to highlight the ascending stars of female boxing
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Kaipo Gallegos Shines in Las Vegas Victory Over Leonardo Padilla
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025World Boxing membership grows to 72 National Federations as Executive Board approves four new applications from Egypt, Gambia, Kiribati and Grenada
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Deonte Brown signs with prominent manager Trifon Petrov
, Wed, 05 Feb 2025Memphis Grizzlies Repeat Over SA Spurs, Overtake Houston Rockets for 2nd in West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025WEIGHTS FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025IM Michael Concio and Chester Neil Reyes banner IIEE Quezon to win the quarterfinals of the PTC World Engineering Day online Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 04 Feb 2025THURSDAY: Arthur Biyarslanov-Mohamed Mimoune & Heavyweight KO Artist Bakhodir Jalolov’s Return to Stream LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford: The Super Fight of 2025 Officially Set for Las Vegas
, Tue, 04 Feb 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
