The Conference Finals – Where Replacements Shine
The Cleveland Cavaliers landed LeBron James and then quickly traded for Kevin Love to form a big three of LeBron, Kyrie and K-Love. The Cavs did almost exactly what they were expected to do. They started off slow, but took off later in the season. There late season surge got them to the number two seed in the East. Then things started to fall apart, or so they thought. In the Cavs first round series the Cavs took what many people thought would be a championship knockout blow. Kevin Love suffered a dislocated shoulder while fighting for a loose ball with Kelly Olynyk. Love was ruled out for the playoffs just a few days after the injury. This made the Cavs big three into a big two of LeBron and Kyrie. Then in the second round Kyrie Irving revealed he had been experiencing knee and foot problems. He played less than favorably against the Bulls.
Conference finals game 2; Kyrie not in the lineup, Kevin Love not in the lineup. LeBron James and his Cavaliers had a 1-0 series lead and had a chance to put their foot on the throat of the Atlanta Hawks. Enter the replacements, Matthew Dellavedova starting in place of Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson starting in place of Kevin Love. Thompson was a top five pick just a few years ago, but he hadn’t progressed the way that they Cavs and most people expected him to. Dellavedova was undrafted out of college and earned himself a 2 year contract with the Cavs after playing well in summer league. Both of these two were expected to be at best backups on this Cavs team which has always been expected to be a title contender. Now it’s the conference finals and they are starting. In one of the biggest games of the season they would both play more than 37 minutes. And in that game they would play great. Dellavedova had 11 points and 4 assists and Thompson led the team in rebounds and was third in plus-minus. Two players that were expected to be minimal contributors were now two of the biggest contributors on a team that was up 2-0 in a series heading back home.
With game three back at home Cleveland had a chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead and all but guarantee themselves a trip to the NBA finals. In game three both Dellavedova and Thompson again played masterfully. Dellavedova was second on the team in scoring once again, picking up the slack for Kyrie Irving who missed a second straight game with leg injuries. Thompson did not have the best game but when it mattered most he made a big play. In overtime with just under 40 seconds left Thompson grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked it to LeBron James for a 3-pointer to take the lead. Once again the replacements stepped up to help lift the Cavs.
With a 3-0 series lead the Cavs had a chance to get themselves a week plus off before having to play in the NBA finals. This time it would be Thompson that would play big. With Kyrie Irving back in the lineup Dellavedova didn’t get to play as much, but still had 10 points off the bench. Thompson had a monster game on the boards grabbing 11 total with five of them being offensive. In addition to his rebound Thompson chipped in 16 points which was tied for third on the team. The Cavs got the sweep and now have eight days off before game one of the NBA finals. Thanks to the contributions of two after thoughts the Cavs have a chance to rest before facing the West champion.