NBA Finals Game 1 was Man versus Team
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 Jun 2015
CHICAGO -- Normally, when LeBron James wreaks havoc in a playoffs game, like he did in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals yesterday, his team almost always wins.
But the King's herculean effort, one that produced 44 points, fell 9 points short as the Golden State Warriors dug out of an early 14-point hole to win in overtime, 108-100 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
James, a four-time MVP, unleashed his entire offensive arsenal upon the Warriors, penetrating at will and scoring in all manner possible -- 3-point shots, free throws, lay-ups, and all sorts of jumpers from short-range to mid-range to long range.
While Warriors fans were mortified seeing LeBron work on going for 50, letting the King rack up the points was actually a part of Golden State's best-laid plans. They chose to let LeBron go off while freezing the rest of the Cavaliers.
Obviously, it worked. And that is why the Warriors are three games away from their first championship since 1975 when Rick Barry led Dub Nation to the promised land..
The Warriors knew that LeBron -- a nimble 6-foot-9 and 260 pounds -- is an unstoppable juggernaut. So instead of collapsing on him each time he drove the lanes and leaving a bevy of Cavaliers wide open, the Warriors opted for single coverage, giving him different looks and using multiple defenders.
LeBron ended up hoisting 38 shots, making 18. And he eventually faded in the waning stretch, which helps explain why he badly missed a step-back jumper that would have stolen Game 1 for the Cavs in regulation.
More importantly, the Cleveland offense stagnated. Besides the injured Kyrie Irving (23 points and 6 assists) and the hard-charging Timofey Mozgov (16 points and 7 rebounds), no other Cav contributed significantly.
Iman Shumpert, who started in place of the sidelined Kevin Love, made only 2-of-8 shots for 6 points. J.R. Smith went 3-for-13 for 9 points while Matthew Dellavedova and James Jones went scoreless after a combined 26 minutes.
The Cleveland bench, which has been so deservedly celebrated in these playoffs, were decimated by the Warriors reserves, 35-9.
After a jittery start, falling behind 26-13 early, Golden State got their act together and played the brand of team basketball that won them 65 regular season games.
Led by Steph Curry's 26 points, 10 Warriors scored in Game 1, five in double figures. Andre Iguodala was especially spectacular, making 6-of-8 field goals while covering James like a blanket.
Game 1 of these 2015 NBA Finals turned out to be Man (LeBron) versus Team (Warriors).
If it keeps up, this series could end sooner than most of us thought.
Photo: LeBron James (L) sizzled with 44 points in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals, but the herculean effort wasn't enough to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Golden State Warriors, who won the overtime thriller, 108-100.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025