Matthew Dellavedova is making a bigger name for himself in the NBA Finals than anyone could ever have imagined.
In a series that was destined to show the greatness of superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry, it’s been Dellavedova who has stolen the show with his unexpected impact on both ends of the floor, guarding Curry admirably on one end and hitting big shots for the Cleveland Cavaliers on the other. Dellavedova ended the contest with an impressive 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Cavaliers are now 4-0 in the playoffs when the Australian point guard is in the starting lineup, and he has been an astounding +35 during his time on the floor.
That’s not to say that there weren’t other interesting twists in another wild game between these two teams: James was once again incredible with 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks. Curry, who was largely invisible for the first three quarters of the game, exploded in the fourth quarter to erase a 20-point deficit and ended the night with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block. David Lee didn’t play in the first two games, but was a catalyst in helping the Warriors get back into what appeared to be a game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
As usual, players around the league were glued to the television to witness what’s shaping up to be one of the better Finals series we’ve seen in a long time, and had plenty of reactions to share on twitter:
Every player wishes and would want to be teammates wit Bron. That is what makes him great!!
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) June 10, 2015
Best player ever played the game ? — mehmetokur13 (@MehmetOkur13) June 10, 2015
These playoff games have been Amazing. When you have @KingJames on your team you always have a chance to win. This is without @Cavs key guys
— Corey Maggette (@Corey_Maggette) June 10, 2015
CLE be souped to do these handshakes. lmao — Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) June 10, 2015
CLE be souped to do these handshakes. lmao
— Kendall Marshall (@KButter5) June 10, 2015
Mr. I go get 40 — BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 10, 2015
Hats off to Dellavedova!! Hell of a game
— Al Thornton (@AThornton14) June 10, 2015
In order for the Warriors to get their rhythm back .. Steph needs to have the ball in his hand constantly. Finals is about the #1 guy rockin — Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) June 10, 2015
Steph got fouled man
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 10, 2015
Effort and passion is a skill. Dellavedova, get your check sir — Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) June 10, 2015
Experience is a beautiful thing in the Finals. Steph behind the back pass….No Bueno, Defense on Delly….No Bueno. LJ Patient and Clutch
— Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) June 10, 2015
Lebron and delladova rt now tho in the clutch… Cavs wearing on the warriors rt now — Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) June 10, 2015
Big boy shot right there..
— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) June 10, 2015
Its a much more entertaining series than everyone thought it was gonna be… — Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) June 10, 2015
Play David Lee if Green won’t shoot the ball.
— TJ Ford (@tj_ford) June 10, 2015
Don’t show them everything Delly! — Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) June 10, 2015
Put David Lee back in the game
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 10, 2015
Why would take d lee out (pause) — JARRETT JACK (@Jarrettjack03) June 10, 2015
I been saying they gotta play David Lee, intangibles on intangibles, game changer
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) June 10, 2015
David Lee making a difference, great rebounder and excellent passer. He is helping offensive flow for Golden State — Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) June 10, 2015
Here they come
— Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) June 10, 2015
David Lee with the hops!! #freshLegs — Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) June 10, 2015
Look at David Lee Man!!!!!!!!!! Play that Man
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 10, 2015
Been told people David Lee needed to playing #CoachJack — JARRETT JACK (@Jarrettjack03) June 10, 2015
These refs need to be fined
— Derrick Coleman (@44TheLegend) June 10, 2015
Cavs have “Outworked” GSW at every part of the game. Hustle plays, Desire, Everything. They want a Championship! — Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) June 10, 2015
The wombat is like the best player in the game!!
— Bill Walton (@BillWalton) June 10, 2015
Yea bron on one — Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) June 10, 2015
Cavs want it. Bad… It’s that simple .
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 10, 2015
Warriors simply have not looked like themselves. Cavs lost firepower with losses of Irving and Love but they are better defensively now. — Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) June 10, 2015
Time to start playing better for #dubs. Props to @cavs @matthewdelly & @KingJames — Rick Barry (@Rick24Barry) June 10, 2015
Cavs are fighting like wounded lions. This is exciting to watch!
— Kelenna Azubuike (@KAzubuike7) June 10, 2015
Bron is high volume shooting but they are anticipated. This creates defensive balance & eliminating FB pts. Both combined for only 9. — Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) June 10, 2015
Can’t win a shootout with a butter knife #letitfly https://t.co/57zWQzqsfg
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 10, 2015
Me 2 https://t.co/mnKmuwdngq — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 10, 2015
Lebron over MJ… Its happening
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) June 10, 2015
Nossa! Que atmosfera! A Quicken Loans Arena lotada e fazendo muito barulho! Que atmosfera!valeu to vida! Nos… http://t.co/Qq0CjyD42X — Anderson Varejão (@VAREJAOANDERSON) June 10, 2015
Hahahahahahahahaha https://t.co/EhglWXiX8l
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) June 10, 2015
Cavs playing as if their life is on the line G.S playing as if they have more #NBAFinals down the line #ThisIsNOW #competitionIsEverything
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) June 10, 2015
Jim Park is a blogger and editor of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.