LeBron James has showered praise on Matthew Dellavedova after the Australian's clutch plays in overtime helped the Cleveland Cavaliers level the NBA Finals series at 1-1.
The Cavaliers handed the Golden State Warriors only their fourth home loss all season when they triumphed 95-93 as four-time NBA MVP James again carried his team with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists.
Stepping up to start the game in the absence of injured star point guard Kyrie Irving, Dellavedova was at his tenacious best, diving on loose balls, picking up a key offensive rebound and shadowing Stephen Curry, the recently-named NBA MVP, around Oracle Arena.
"He (Dellavedova) came out and defended, he rebounded, made timely shots and he was huge for us," James said.
"We knew we could count on him.
"We have been in this position before and he gave us everything and more tonight."
With the Warriors trailing by one point with 10.1 seconds left in overtime Dellavedova crashed the backboard in a scrum, grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled.
He stepped to the free throw line with 19,500 Warriors fans screaming for him to miss and sunk both to put his team ahead.
With the score 94-93, Curry had one last three-point attempt to win, but with Dellavedova right in his face he missed.
Fittingly, James sealed the win with a free throw.
Curry, who has averaged 29 points in the playoffs, was restricted to 19 points.
"He (Dellavedova) is a courageous kid who plays right," Cleveland coach David Blatt said.
Dellavedova had nine points, five rebounds and three steals from 42 minutes on the court.
The Warriors' Australian centre Andrew Bogut had a strong defensive game with 10 rebounds, two blocked shots and two points.
The best-of-seven series now heads to Cleveland for the next two games with game three on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).
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