We got free basketball in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving said it would take a miracle for him to play at 100 percent in the NBA Finals, but he looked awfully close to it in Game 1.
With the game tied at 98 and less than 30 seconds to play, Irving chased down Steph Curry after getting beat at the point of attack, and, for the second time in the game, blocked his layup attempt from behind.
The Cavaliers got the ball back for the final shot of regulation, but neither LeBron James nor Iman Shumpert could get their desperation heaves to fall (though both came far closer than they should've).
Steve Kerr says the whole Warriors bench thought Shumpert's follow shot was going in.
— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) June 5, 2015
That final possession came back to haunt the Cavs, for reasons beyond the fact that they went on to lose after being outscored 10-2 in overtime.
After notching 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks (including that game-saver) in 44 outstanding minutes, Irving went down with an apparent knee injury in the extra frame, and was forced to leave the game.
