2015 NBA Finals Game 2: By the Numbers

This year’s NBA Finals is already looking like one of the best in years. This series became the first Finals ever to go to overtime in its first two games, but Game 2 had a different outcome than Game 1. LeBron James’ triple-double propelled the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Golden State Warriors, 95-93, in OT on Sunday night.

Here’s what you need to know if you missed Game 2. 

Star of the Game: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
He did not have to score 44 points again, but James dominated this game from beginning to end. While playing 50 of the 53 minutes in regulation and overtime, James scored 39 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and dished 11 assists in one of his best NBA Finals games. This is the fifth triple-double of James’ Finals career, which is second most all time. 

Play of the Game: Matthew Dellavedova draws the foul
With less than 15 seconds left in overtime, Cavaliers’ forward James Jones launched a 3-pointer that could have iced the game. He missed, but 6-4 guard Matthew Dellavedova jumped through several taller players to grab the rebound and was fouled on a put-back. With the game on the line, Dellavedova calmly hit two free throws that gave the Cavaliers a lead they would not give up. 

Number of the Game: 13
Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry is one of the top 3-point shooters in the world, but he did not have it Sunday. Curry set a record for the most missed 3-pointers in an NBA Finals game with 13, shooting only 2-for-15. In fact, he missed more 3-pointers (13) than any other player had ever shot in an NBA Finals game.

Surprise of the Game: Stephen Curry can’t score
Curry has averaged 29.0 points and 7.7 assists per game during the postseason. But it seemed like nothing could go right in Game 2. He made only five of his 23 shots and was only 2-for-15 from the 3-point line. To add to the frustration, he turned over the ball six times, almost twice as often as he did in the rest of the playoffs combined. Without a doubt, Curry will have to get it going for Golden State to win. 

Advanced Stat of the Game: Usage Rate
This stat is used to estimate what percent of plays an individual player was part of while on the floor. With 35 shots and 18 free throw attempts, LeBron James posted a game-high 39.8 percent usage rate. The number would have been the highest in the NBA this season, even higher than Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook’s 38.2 percent usage rate. 


Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images