Matthew Dellavedova Played the Hero’s Role for the Cavs in Game 2

Moments after the final buzzer sounded for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Matthew Dellavedova was screaming his lungs out and punching his fist through the air in delight. Why not? His Cleveland Cavaliers had just won their biggest game of the season by defeating the powerful but young Golden State Warriors, who are armed with the league’s MVP, Stephen Curry.

The Cavs weren’t supposed to win Game 2 with Kyrie Irving out. Nearly everyone who wasn’t from Ohio or not a Cavs fan was counting the team out after Irving could not return to play in the series following a season-ending knee injury in Game 1. But Dellavedova had other plans.

Nearly everyone… was counting the team out after Irving could not return to play in the series following a season-ending knee injury… But Dellavedova had other plans.

In Irving’s absence, Delly (as he is fondly called by everyone) stepped up to the plate and played his most important game ever. At first glance, his final stats aren’t going to wow you. In fact, you might even think that the guy was a liability throughout the game. There’s nothing sexy about his stats from the last game:

9 points, 3-10 FGs, 1-6 3-Pt FGs, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 6 turnovers

Sheesh! Just looking at those stats will probably lead you to think that he could have cost the Cavs this game. That is, unless you watched the game and saw his impact from other statistics that show his true value to the Cavs.

Delly’s Offense

June 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) shoots a free throw basket against the Golden State Warriors during the overtime period in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

For the first three quarters, Dellavedova was shooting blanks, firing up shots that were way off the mark. By the time the fourth quarter and overtime rolled around, however, things changed drastically. Here’s a summary of his impact on offense.

• With 11:23 in the fourth, Delly scores on a floater to break a 62-all tie.
• The next time down the floor on offense, he made another floater to increase the Cavs’ lead to four, 66-62.
• Despite missing all of his previous shots from three-point range, Delly launches a three with 5:01 left in regulation to give the Cavs’ a comfortable 11-point lead, 79-68.
• In overtime, after James Jones misses a three, Dellavedova grabs the rebound and attempts a follow up but was fouled, sending the  guard to the line for two free throws with 10.1 seconds remaining.
• Delly calmly nails both free-throws to give the Cavs the lead for good 94-93.

Delly’s Defense

June 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center

(12) is defended by against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during the first half in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Australian started the game guarding Klay Thompson, who has a 3-inch height advantage over him. After Thompson started getting hot as he shot over Delly multiple times, Coach David Blatt made the switch to let him guard Curry instead. From there, the 24-year old went to work, never letting Curry out of his sights and forcing the superstar guard into numerous missed shots and several turnovers. How good was Delly’s defense?

• Consider that the NBA’s best three-point shooter missed an NBA-record 13 three-pointers in one game.
• Add to that the fact that he hounded Curry into missing all eight of his shots against him.
• Delly also forced Curry into committing four of his six turnovers when guarded by him.

And if you think the stats above are a fluke, notice what Delly has been doing against some of the best point guards in the Eastern Conference during the playoffs.

Overall Impact

Jun 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward

(40) fouls Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during overtime in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, Dellavedova’s +/- stat line says it all as he was a +15 for the game, second only to James Jones’ +22.

Validation

June 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward

(23) celebrates with guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) the 95-93 victory against the Golden State Warriors in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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In an interview with LeBron James as transcribed by Fox Sports, the team’s future Hall-of-Famer spoke fondly of Dellavedova and his contribution to the team.

“Obviously he’s a guy that’s been counted out his whole life. People have probably been telling him he’s too small, he’s not fast enough, he can’t shoot it well enough, he can’t handle it good enough, and he’s beat the odds so many times. The confidence that we have in him allows him to be confident in himself. He goes out and he just plays his tail off, and when a guy like that does that, he gets great results.”

James knows how valuable Delly is to his team even if others, including the Warriors, are taking him lightly.

The clip below shows the highlights of Matthew Dellavedova’s game. It’s a testament to what he’s been able to do with the opportunity given to him by Coach Blatt.

If the Cavs are to win the championship, no matter how Delly performs in these next few games, LeBron can thank him for being his and all of Cleveland’s hero in Game 2.

Next: Putting LeBron's Game 2 Performance in Perspective