King James Gospel
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Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned vs. Golden State Warriors Game 1

By Jackson Flickinger

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media after the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2018 NBA Finals on May 31, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media after the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2018 NBA Finals on May 31, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The charge should have never been reviewed.

The Cavs were up two with under a minute to play when a charge on Durant was called. The officials reviewed the charge, which they are allowed to do at the end of games. However, they are only allowed to review the play if they have a question of whether or not the defender is in the restricted area or not.

Questioning whether LeBron was in the restricted area or not feels rather ridiculous. It appears that he was a good two to three feet outside of the restricted area.

We can debate whether or not it was a block or charge, but what shouldn’t be debated is whether or not it was reviewed. The officials did not have a reason to review the play and that is where the Cavaliers have a legitimate complaint.

Officiating doesn’t win and lose games. The Cavs had chances to win the game. But, with how close this game was it’s unfortunate that a call like this had such a big influence on the final minutes.

The Cavs had a chance to win this game still.

George Hill went to the line with just over four seconds left with a chance to tie or take the lead. He made the first, but missed the second. Securing both free throws would’ve gone a long way in winning this game.

JR Smith stepped up and grabbed the offensive rebound off the miss, but he didn’t get a shot off or call a timeout. The Cavs had a chance to take the lead, but couldn’t execute down the stretch like they needed to.

We can argue about the officiating all we want but the truth is the Cavs need to be better down the stretch at controlling what they can control. Not doing that is ultimately what cost them Game 1.