Andre Iguodala came off the bench to inspire the Golden State Warriors to a 108-100 overtime win in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals on Friday morning.
Despite a slow start for the Warriors, Iguodala was not just superb offensively, contributing 15 points, but he also played a crucial role defensively.
Four-time MVP LeBron James could have decided the game with a second left in the regulation, but missed a three-pointer attempt over an overstretched Iguodala.
Although James finished with a game-high 44 points in 46 minutes, Game 1 belonged Iguodala and the Warriors crew, who trailed by as many as 14 points in the first quarter.
Reigning MVP Stephen Curry hit a jumper over LeBron, giving the Warriors a crucial and decisive 94-93 lead with 3.37 remaining, and the they never trailed again.
Iguodala found Harrison Barnes widely open for a three-pointer with 2.02 left, the Warriors extended to their biggest lead of the game to 107-98.
The Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 10-2 in the extra five minutes.
Even first-year Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised Iguodala.
“Andre is one of the smartest defenders in the league,” Kerr said. “He is not stronger than LeBron, but he is strong. We have several guys who are capable of spending time guarding LeBron, whether is Draymond, Harrison, Klay. We got some options, but we feel like Andre has guarded him the most, he has been in the league for 11 years, he has guarded him an awful lot, so we stayed with him.”
Klay Thompson said of Iguodala: “Andre is one of the best defender in the league. He is very active, and he is going to be pivotal in the series. He played both ends for us. That’s what he expect from a great player.”
Former Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving added 23 points for the Cavaliers, but he limped off the court due to a left injury. The same injury that forced him out two games in the Eastrern Conference Finals.
James, Irving and Russian Timofey Mozgov were fundamental for Cavaliers, but the team’s bench was highly unproductive.
“Our bench has been throughout the playoffs, but we missed them tonight,” said Cavaliers coach David.
While the Warriors bench contributed 34 points, J.R Smith was the only Cavalier to score off the bench, finishing with 9 points.
The Cavaliers stepped on floor ready to take Game 1, leading 29-19 with James leading all scorers with 12 points, while Curry had only four.
The Warriors cut the deficit to four points, mainly because of instant contributions from Marreesse Speights, who added eight points off the bench.
In that moment of the game, Curry would send home fans into frenzy when he tied the contest at 36-36 with a catch-and-shoot three-pointer (his first of the game) over an overstretched Tristan Thompson.
Curry hit another three-pointer for the Warriors first lead (39-36) since early in the game, sending home fans into frenzy.
Meanwhile J.R Smith was 3 for 4 in the first half, sparking the Cavaliers to 51-48 first-half lead.
Game 2 is on Sunday at Oracle Arena.
