![]() A number of trades turned the season around. Injuries to James and "chemistry issues," with James "still learning how to play with his new teammates and vice versa," were considered the primary reasons for the underwhelming start. The Cavaliers got off to a shockingly bad start that led to intense media scrutiny and caused many to question Blatt's job security, going 19–20 in their first 39 games, which included a stretch where they were 2–10 in 12 games, starting with a December 25 road loss to Miami. James, Love, and guard Kyrie Irving became known as the Big Three. As part of the deal, Cleveland dealt Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and received Love. Later on August 23, a three-team trade was completed involving the Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2014 NBA draft on June 26, 2014, Cleveland held the first overall pick and used it to select Andrew Wiggins. James then played for the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014, leading the Heat to two NBA championships in 20. James previously played for Cleveland from 2003 to 2010, leading the Cavaliers to their only previous Finals appearance in 2007. The Cavaliers entered the 2014–15 season after firing Mike Brown and replacing him with David Blatt as head coach, signing free agent forward LeBron James, and trading for forward Kevin Love. Main article: 2014–15 Cleveland Cavaliers season This is the last NBA Finals to be played on a Thursday–Sunday–Tuesday scheme, with the schedule format being changed beginning the following Finals. James also became the first player in NBA Finals history to lead both teams in points, assists, and rebounds for the entire series. However, despite the loss of an injured Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving during most of the series, the Cavaliers, led by LeBron James (in his fifth consecutive Finals appearance, and sixth overall) managed to take a 2–1 series lead before the Warriors won the last three for their first title since 1975. The Warriors, led by the duo of Klay Thompson and 2014–15 MVP Stephen Curry, won the opening game at home in overtime. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors and the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2015 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2014–15 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs played from began on June 4 to June 16, 2015. Jokic woke back up a bit, as did James, who made his first two 3-pointers of the series on back-to-back plays.The wordmark of the NBA Finals (2003–2017) For starters, Murray all but disappeared, going scoreless until midway through the fourth quarter. The second half was different in many ways. Thanks to a quiet half from Jokic (5 points on 2-of-8 shooting), a free throw disparity (18 attempts to the Nuggets' seven), and a great start from Davis, the Lakers only trailed 58-55 at the half. Murray catching fire put the Nuggets up by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, but they didn't put away the Lakers. Per the NBA's numbers, Murray's 53 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and first half of Game 3 is the most from a player in a three-quarter span in the playoffs since 1988. ![]() The first half was the Murray show, as the Nuggets' standout guard followed up an unreal Game 2 performance with 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting in the first two quarters. Jamal Murray scores 30 points in first half ![]() The Nuggets won by avoiding the mistakes the Lakers typically force, committing only five turnovers, and by getting solid games from nearly every member of their rotation, most notably Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who combined for 32 points.Ī brilliant half from each of the Nuggets' stars didn't hurt either, nor did another ghastly game from D'Angelo Russell (3 points on 1-of-8 shooting). LeBron James (23 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds) and Anthony Davis (28 points, 18 rebounds) both looked their terrifying selves, or at least a step away from them. The Lakers once again enjoyed a free-throw disparity, this time outshooting the Nuggets 29-19. MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic had maybe his quietest game of the postseason (which is saying something considering he still had 24 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds) and dealt with foul trouble most of the game. It was not an easy win for Denver, which has played with a chip on its shoulder all series against the NBA's marquee team.
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