2015 NBA Finals

{{Main|2014–15 Golden State Warriors season}}

File:Andre_Iguodala_2016_(cropped).jpg moves from starter to sixth man position during the start of the 2014-15 NBA regular season but later became the Finals MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals.]]

The Warriors entered the 2014–15 season after replacing Mark Jackson with Steve Kerr as head coach. This was Kerr's first ever head coaching job. After retiring as a player in 2003, he served as a broadcast analyst from 2003 to 2007 and 2010 to 2014, and as general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2007 to 2010. Revamping Golden State's offense, Kerr employed elements of the triangle offense from his playing days with the Chicago Bulls under Phil Jackson, the spacing and pace of Gregg Popovich from his playing days in San Antonio with the Spurs, and the uptempo principles Alvin Gentry used in Phoenix when Kerr was the GM.{{cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Antonio |title=Kerr coming to New York as an All-Star coach with Warriors |date=February 10, 2015 |work=SFGate.com |agency=Associated Press |url=http://stats.sfgate.com/nba/story.asp?i=20150210031753362136008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526052151/http://stats.sfgate.com/nba/story.asp?i=20150210031753362136008 |archive-date=May 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 28, 2015 }}

In Kerr's first year, the Warriors finished with the best regular season record at 67–15, including an incredible 39–2 in home games. Kerr became the winningest rookie head coach in NBA history, passing Tom Thibodeau and his 62 wins with the Chicago Bulls in 2010–11.{{cite news|first=Gabrielle|last=McMillen|title=Steve Kerr sets rookie coaching record as Warriors clinch home court|date=April 5, 2015|work=Sporting News|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-04-05/warriors-coach-steve-kerr-sets-rookie-coaching-record-golden-state-nba|access-date=May 28, 2015}} Point guard Stephen Curry set the NBA record for three-pointers made in a regular season with 286, eclipsing his own record set in 2012–13.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhLFTDd5YxY|title=Stephen Curry Breaks NBA Record with 273rd 3-Pointer of Season|date=April 9, 2015|work=YouTube|access-date=April 9, 2015}} Curry also won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/curry-mvp-20150504|title=Warriors Guard Stephen Curry Named 2014–15 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player|date=May 4, 2015|work=NBA.com|access-date=May 4, 2015}} He and fellow guard Klay Thompson, known as the Splash Brothers, finished first and second in the league in three-pointers made, respectively, and combined to make 525 threes, surpassing their previous league record for a duo by 41, while also converting an impressive 44% of those shots.{{cite news|last=Simmons |first=Rusty |title=Warriors put a bow on historic regular season by beating Nuggets |date=April 15, 2015 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-put-a-bow-on-historic-regular-season-by-6203163.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418062653/http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-put-a-bow-on-historic-regular-season-by-6203163.php |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Dabe |first=Christopher |title=Pelicans playoff foe Stephen Curry makes 77 consecutive 3-pointers at practice: Watch |date=April 16, 2015 |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |url=http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/04/stephen_curry_77_3-pointers.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417095846/http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/04/stephen_curry_77_3-pointers.html |archive-date=April 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Amick |first=Sam |title=Wild West: Warriors must navigate loaded playoff field |date=April 16, 2015 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2015/04/16/western-conference-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry/25900379/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418010352/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2015/04/16/western-conference-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry/25900379/ |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=live }} During the season, the backcourt mates both started in the NBA All-Star Game and were each named to the All-NBA team, the first time in decades that either has been achieved by guards on the same team.{{cite news|title=Thompson named All-Star Game starter|work=KNBR|url=http://www.knbr.com/common/page.php?feed=11&pt=Thompson+named+All-Star+Game+starter&id=14842&is_corp=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216015433/http://www.knbr.com/common/page.php?feed=11&pt=Thompson+named+All-Star+Game+starter&id=14842&is_corp=0|archive-date=February 16, 2015}}{{cite news

|title=Warriors' Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson earn All-NBA recognition for record-setting season

|date=May 21, 2015 |newspaper=The Press Democrat

|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/3965449-181/curry-thompson-earn-all-nba-recognition

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522181533/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/3965449-181/curry-thompson-earn-all-nba-recognition

|archive-date=May 22, 2015

|url-status=live

}} Golden State advanced to the Finals after sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in six games during the second round, and eliminating the Houston Rockets in five games in the conference finals.

{{Main|2014–15 Cleveland Cavaliers season}}

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. James previously played for Cleveland from 2003 to 2010, leading the Cavaliers to their only previous Finals appearance in 2007. James then played for the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014, leading the Heat to two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. During the 2014 NBA draft on June 26, 2014, Cleveland held the first overall pick and used it to select Andrew Wiggins. Later on August 23, a three-team trade was completed involving the Cavaliers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Philadelphia 76ers. As part of the deal, Cleveland dealt Wiggins and Anthony Bennett and received Love.{{cite web |date=August 23, 2014 |title=Timberwolves Acquire Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young in Three-Team Trade |url=http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/love-three-team-trade |access-date=August 23, 2014 |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.}}

James, Love, and guard Kyrie Irving became known as the Big Three.{{cite web |title=Big Three even bigger |url=http://www.foxsports.com/ohio/story/cleveland-cavaliers-big-three-bigger-with-newcomers-012115 |access-date=May 27, 2015 |work=Fox Sports.com}} 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. Injuries to James and "chemistry issues," with James "still learning how to play with his new teammates and vice versa,"{{cite web |last1=Withers |first1=Tom |title=Chemistry issues at root of Cavaliers' 1-3 start |url=http://www.nba.com/2014/news/11/06/cavaliers-struggling-early.ap/ |access-date=November 17, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} were considered the primary reasons for the underwhelming start. A number of trades turned the season around. The Cavaliers acquired J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the Knicks in exchange for draft picks while sending Dion Waiters to the Thunder. They then acquired Timofey Mozgov. James's return to the Cavaliers' lineup (following a 2-week layoff) on January 12 completed the turnaround. The Cavaliers closed out the season on a high note, going 34–9 for a 53–29 regular season record and the Central Division title, the second best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers advanced to the Finals after sweeping the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Chicago Bulls in six games during the second round, and sweeping the Hawks in the conference finals.

{{Main|2015 NBA Playoffs}}

The Cavaliers and Warriors tied the regular season series 1–1, with each team winning its home game.

{{basketballbox

| bg=#fff

| date = January 9, 2015

| report = {{NBA Recap|2015|0109|id=CLEGSW}}

| team1 = Cleveland Cavaliers |score1 = 94

| team2 = Golden State Warriors |score2 = 112

| place = Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

}}

{{basketballbox

| date = February 26, 2015

| report = {{NBA Recap|2015|0226|id=GSWCLE}}

| team1 = Golden State Warriors | score1 = 99

| team2 = Cleveland Cavaliers | score2 = 110

| place = Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

}}

{{Hatnote|Times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4). For games in Oakland, the local time is also given (PDT, UTC−7).}}

For the first time in NBA Finals history, the first two games went into overtime.{{cite news|last=Mather|first=Victor|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/sports/basketball/nba-finals-in-overtime-missed-shots-and-foul-calls-were-the-key.html?_r=0|title=N.B.A. Finals: In Overtime, Missed Shots and Foul Calls Were the Key|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}} In Game Four, after Golden State had fallen behind 2–1 in the series, Kerr moved swingman Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup and brought center Andrew Bogut off the bench. The Warriors' small lineup, which came to be known as the Death Lineup, helped turn the series around.{{cite news|last=Holmes |first=Baxter |title=Iguodala NBA's no-stats Finals MVP? |date=June 16, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13086040/andre-iguodala-game-finds-acceptance-warriors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617040403/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13086040/andre-iguodala-game-finds-acceptance-warriors |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} Golden State won the series in six games, claiming their first title since 1975 and their fourth in franchise history.{{cite news|last=Holmes |first=Baxter |title=Finals recap: The Warriors' road to the title |date=June 17, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096505/2015-nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-road-title |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617125017/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096505/2015-nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-road-title |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} They played small ball in the Finals to a greater extent than any prior champion.{{cite news|last=Lowe |first=Zach |title=How the small-ball virus has infected the NBA |date=November 24, 2015 |website=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/14209124/is-small-ball-dominance-golden-state-blip-trend |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125085011/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14209124/is-small-ball-dominance-golden-state-blip-trend |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live }} Combining regular season and playoff games, the Warriors finished 83–20, the third-best record ever behind the Chicago Bulls in 1995–96 (87–13) and 1996–97 (84–17).

Iguodala was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first to win the award without having started every game in the series. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in the series. Iguodala was also tasked with guarding Cleveland star LeBron James, who made only 38.1% of his shots when Iguodala was in the game, but still averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.{{cite news|last=Strauss |first=Ethan Sherwood |title=Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series |date=June 16, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618102455/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |url-status=live }} James received 4 of the 11 votes for Finals MVP even though Cleveland lost by an average of 14 points in the final three games.{{cite news|last=McMenamin |first=Dave |title=NBA Finals: No consolation to be had for LeBron |date=June 17, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13097404/lebron-personal-triumphs-afford-solace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617125056/http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13097404/lebron-personal-triumphs-afford-solace |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} Stephen Curry was just the sixth player to win his first league MVP and his first NBA title in the same season; the last player to accomplish this feat was Shaquille O'Neal in 1999–2000. Kerr became the first rookie coach to win a title since Pat Riley in 1981–82.

The Warriors were the first team since the 1990–91 Bulls to win a title with a roster that did not have any players with Finals experience.{{cite news|last=Pingue |first=Frank |title=Lack of experience proves no problem for champion Warriors |date=June 17, 2015 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nba-finals-warriors-win-idUSKBN0OX0JT20150617 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617170619/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/17/us-nba-finals-warriors-win-idUSKBN0OX0JT20150617 |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} James and teammate James Jones made their fifth consecutive trip to the Finals, having qualified the previous four seasons with the Miami Heat, though Jones did not play in the 2011 Finals.{{cite news|last=Winderman |first=Ira |title=James Jones thaws out to another NBA Finals reality |date=June 1, 2015 |newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-james-jones-s060115-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617125354/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-james-jones-s060115-story.html |archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} It was the first time since 1998 that the Finals did not include the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs, or the Heat. This was also the first NBA Finals since then not to have featured Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, or Dwyane Wade.{{cite web|last=McIntyre|first=Jason|title=2015 NBA Finals Won't Have Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant for the 1st time Since 1998|url=http://thebiglead.com/2015/05/04/2015-nba-finals-wont-have-tim-duncan-dwyane-wade-or-kobe-bryant-for-the-1st-time-since-1998/|publisher=USA Today Sports|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 4 |time=9:00 pm {{small|(6:00 pm PDT)}} |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=100

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=108

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150604/CLEGSW/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=29–19 |Q2=22–29 |Q3=22–25 |Q4=25–25 |OT=2–10

|points1=LeBron James 44 |points2=Stephen Curry 26

|rebounds1=Tristan Thompson 15 |rebounds2=Andrew Bogut 7

|assist1=Irving, James 6 each |assist2=Stephen Curry 8

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 13 Monty McCutchen

• No. 19 James Capers
• No. 23 Jason Phillips

|series=Golden State leads series, 1–0

}}

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108–100 in overtime, taking Game 1 and the 1–0 series lead. The Cavaliers got off to a strong start, opening up a 29–15 lead before settling for a 10-point lead after the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, the Warriors went on a big run and led 46–41. The Cavaliers then went on a 10–2 run to close out the first half, capped off by a J. R. Smith three with .7 seconds left. The Cavaliers led 51–48 at halftime. The second half was a back and forth affair, with neither team able to gain separation. Late in the 4th, Timofey Mozgov hit two free throws to tie the game at 98. The Warriors ran a play for Stephen Curry out of a timeout. Curry beat Kyrie Irving to the basket and went for a go-ahead layup, but Irving blocked the shot, and the Cavaliers called timeout after Smith secured the rebound.{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796845|title=Warriors overcome LeBron James' 44, breeze in overtime to go up 1–0|date=June 4, 2015|work=ESPN|access-date=June 8, 2015}}

The Cavaliers had two chances to win in the final seconds of regulation. James's potential game-winning jumper was off, and then Iman Shumpert got the offensive rebound and threw a shot at the buzzer, but also missed, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, the Warriors dominated with a 10–0 run consisting of 7 free throws and a three-pointer by Barnes. Cleveland's only score in the extra period was James's layup with 9.5 seconds left as the Cavaliers shot 1/12 and committed 3 turnovers in the game's final 5 minutes.

Only three players scored for the Cavaliers after halftime: James, Irving, and Mozgov. The trio combined for 83 of the Cavaliers' 100 points. James had a career NBA Finals high of 44 points, while attempting a postseason career-high 38 shots,{{cite news|last1=Feldman |first1=Ryan |last2=McTigue |first2=John |title=The trouble with LeBron in isolation |date=June 5, 2015 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/73236/the-trouble-with-lebron-in-isolation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609135351/http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/73236/the-trouble-with-lebron-in-isolation |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live }} and Curry led Golden State with 26 points. The Warriors' bench outplayed the Cavaliers' bench, outscoring them 34–9, with all 9 Cavaliers bench points coming from Smith. Andre Iguodala led the Warriors bench in scoring with 15 points. Irving suffered a knee injury in overtime and was forced to leave the game early. The following day, he was diagnosed with a fractured left kneecap that would require surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the Finals, joining Kevin Love, who suffered a dislocated shoulder against the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, and Anderson Varejão.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/05/nba-finals-2015-warriors-ignite-overtime-to-down-cavaliers|title=NBA finals 2015: Warriors ignite in overtime to down Cavaliers|date=June 5, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=June 8, 2015}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 7 |time=8:00 pm {{small|(5:00 pm PDT)}} |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=95

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=93

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150607/CLEGSW/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=20–20 |Q2=27–25 |Q3=15–14 |Q4=25–28 |OT=8–6

|points1=LeBron James 39 |points2=Klay Thompson 34

|rebounds1=LeBron James 16 |rebounds2=Green, Bogut 10 each

|assist1=LeBron James 11 |assist2=Curry, Iguodala 5 each

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 48 Scott Foster

• No. 25 Tony Brothers
• No. 28 Zach Zarba

|series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 95–93 in overtime, tying the series at 1–1 and stealing homecourt advantage heading into Cleveland. For the first time in NBA Finals history, the first two games were decided in overtime, with the Cavaliers winning their first Finals game in franchise history. LeBron James tallied his fifth Finals triple-double with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists while moving solely into second all-time in Finals triple-doubles behind Magic Johnson's 8. James, who shot 11-for-35 in the game, played 50 minutes and led all scorers. James either scored or assisted on 66 of Cleveland's 95 points, and his 83 points in the first two games of a Finals was also second all-time to Jerry West's 94 in the 1969 Finals.{{cite news|author=Martin, Brian|title=10 Key Numbers: NBA Finals, Game 2|url=http://stats.nba.com/featured/ten_key_numbers_finals_game_2_2015_06_08.html?cid=nbacomsocial_20150608_47147526&adbid=607875258020818944&adbpl=tw&adbpr=1373313666|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=June 7, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2015}} Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 34 points. Curry added 19, but he struggled mightily against the Cavaliers' defense, shooting 5-for-23 from the floor, including 2–15 from 3-point range. Curry set an NBA record for most missed three-point attempts in an Finals game with 13. Matthew Dellavedova's defense on Curry was huge as Curry was 0–for-8 against him.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-06-08/stephen-curry-matthew-dellavedova-defense-warriors-cavaliers-game-2-nba-finals-2015|title=No, Stephen Curry is not worried about Matthew Dellavedova|work=Sporting News|access-date=June 29, 2015}}

The margin was close through the first three quarters, with neither team leading by more than 8 points. The Warriors jumped out to a 20–12 lead, but the Cavaliers closed the quarter on an 8–0 run to tie the game at 20. The Warriors led 31–25 early in the 2nd quarter, but the Cavaliers went on a 15–2 run to take a 40–33 lead. They settled for a 2-point lead at halftime, leading 47–45. The third quarter was low scoring, with the Cavaliers scoring 15 points and the Warriors 14 points. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Cavaliers led 62–59. After three tight quarters, the Cavaliers began to pull away, building an 83–72 lead with just over 3 minutes remaining in the fourth. However, the Cavaliers squandered the 11-point lead as the Warriors went on a 15–4 run to tie the game at 87, capped off by a Curry finger roll layup with eight seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, James drove towards the basket as he went for a game winning layup, but he misfired, and the rebound tipback attempt by Tristan Thompson was unsuccessful.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796846|title=LeBron James' triple-double enables Cavs to tie Finals in ugly OT win|date=June 7, 2015|work=ESPN|access-date=June 8, 2015}}

In the overtime, Iman Shumpert hit a three-pointer, and James made two free throws, giving the Cavaliers a 92–87 lead. However, Draymond Green answered with back-to-back baskets, and Curry hit two free throws to give the Warriors a 93–92 lead. Out of the timeout, James's go-ahead layup was blocked by Green and recovered by Andre Iguodala, but he threw it out of bounds, giving possession back to the Cavaliers. The ensuing Cavaliers possession resulted in a three-point attempt by James Jones which missed, but Dellavedova grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. Dellavedova hit both free throws to give the Cavaliers a 94–93 lead with 10.1 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Warriors went to Curry, who airballed the potential go-ahead jumper. James rebounded the miss and was fouled.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/sports/basketball/nba-finals-standing-in-for-a-star-matthew-dellavedova-shines-in-cavaliers-taut-win.html?ref=basketball&_r=0|title=N.B.A. Finals: Matthew Dellavedova Shines in Cavaliers' Taut Win|date=June 8, 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 8, 2015}}

James hit one of two at the line, giving the Cavaliers a 95–93 lead with 4 seconds left in overtime. With no timeouts remaining, the Warriors had to go the length of the court to get off a game-tying or game-winning shot attempt. However, Curry's pass near midcourt was stolen by Tristan Thompson, and the Cavaliers ran out the clock. After getting badly outplayed in Game 1, the Cavaliers' bench outscored the Warriors 21–17 in Game 2. The Cavaliers handed the Warriors their 4th home loss of the season (including the postseason) and were only the second Eastern Conference team to win at Oracle Arena (the Chicago Bulls also won in overtime on January 27). The victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers was their first ever single game Finals victory, having lost Game 1 of this series, and being swept in the 2007 Finals by the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/07/cleveland-cavaliers-strike-back-in-game-2-thriller-to-tie-nba-finals|title=Cleveland Cavaliers show game two grit to level NBA finals at 1–1|date=June 7, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=June 8, 2015}}

Following the game, James had dubbed the undermanned Cavaliers as "The Grit Squad", due to adopting a slower paced, more physical style of play in the absence of All-Stars Irving and Kevin Love.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2015/06/08/cavaliers-grit-squad-lebron-james-triple-double-matthew-dellavedova-iman-shumpurt/28671861/|title=Still the underdog, Cavaliers' 'Grit Squad' continues to strengthen through adversity|author=Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports|date=June 8, 2015|work=USA TODAY|access-date=June 29, 2015}} This new moniker was quickly embraced by Cavaliers fans, in hopes that this new tough style of play would be enough to offset the Warriors' depth advantage.{{cite web|url=http://www.freshbrewedtees.com/collections/wine-gold/cleveland-grit-squad.html |title=Cleveland Grit Squad |work=freshbrewedtees.com |access-date=June 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626142030/http://www.freshbrewedtees.com/collections/wine-gold/cleveland-grit-squad.html |archive-date=June 26, 2015 }}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 9 |time=9:00 pm |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=91

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=96

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150609/GSWCLE/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=20–24 |Q2=17–20 |Q3=18–28 |Q4=36–24

|points1=Stephen Curry 27 |points2=LeBron James 40

|rebounds1=Ezeli, Green 7 each |rebounds2=Tristan Thompson 13

|assist1=Stephen Curry 6 |assist2=LeBron James 8

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 43 Danny Crawford

• No. 8 Marc Davis
• No. 9 Derrick Stafford

|series=Cleveland leads series, 2–1

}}

The Cavaliers led wire to wire as they defeated the Warriors 96–91 and took a 2–1 series lead. The first half was close throughout, with the Cavaliers leading 24–20 after the first quarter. They led 44–37 at halftime. Stephen Curry's struggles in Game 2 carried over to the first half of this game as he was held to 3 points in the first half. In the third quarter, the Cavaliers seized control, outscoring the Warriors 28–18. They led by as many as 20 in the third quarter before taking a 72–55 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The 55 points scored by the Warriors was their lowest scoring output through three quarters all season. However, the Warriors fought back, making it a 1-point game as they cut the deficit to 81–80 late in the fourth quarter. However, Matthew Dellavedova banked in a circus shot as he tumbled to the floor while being fouled by Curry. He made the free throw to put the Cavaliers up 84–80. After Curry committed a turnover, LeBron James hit a three-pointer to give the Cavs an 87–80 lead. Curry hit a handful of three-pointers down the stretch, but the Cavs made their free throws and closed out the win.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796847|title=LeBron James, Matthew Dellavedova steer Cavs to 2-1 lead over Warriors|date=June 10, 2015|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 18, 2015}}

James led all scorers with 40 to go along with 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. Through 3 games, James scored 123 points, the most points scored by any player in the first three games of any NBA Finals series, surpassing Rick Barry's 122 from the 1967 NBA Finals.{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/nba-finals-lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-fighting-fatigue-after-hard-fought-wins-over-golden-state-warriors-061015|title=NBA Finals: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers fighting fatigue after hard-fought wins over Golden State Warriors|author=Fox Sports|work=FOX Sports|access-date=June 29, 2015}} Dellavedova scored 20, a playoff career high. Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter. This win marks the first time that the Cavaliers held a lead in a Finals series in their franchise history, as well as their first home win in a Finals series in their franchise history.{{cite news|url=http://fox8.com/2015/06/09/allincle-cavs-seek-first-nba-finals-home-win/|title=Cavs beat Warriors, 96-91, in Game 3 of NBA Finals; lead series 2-1|date=June 9, 2015|publisher=Fox 8 Cleveland|access-date=June 18, 2015}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 11 |time=9:00 pm |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=103

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=82

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150611/GSWCLE/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=31–24 |Q2=23–18 |Q3=22–28 |Q4=27–12

|points1=Curry, Iguodala 22 each |points2=Timofey Mozgov 28

|rebounds1=Iguodala, Barnes, Livingston 8 each |rebounds2=Tristan Thompson 13

|assist1=Curry 7 |assist2=LeBron James 8

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 17 Joe Crawford

• No. 24 Mike Callahan
• No. 41 Ken Mauer

|series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

The Warriors routed the Cavaliers 103–82 in Game 4, evening the series at 2–2 and reclaiming homecourt advantage. Despite stating that there would be no changes to the starting lineup the morning of Game 4, Kerr inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup in place of Andrew Bogut, while moving Draymond Green to the center position.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13063006/2015-nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-coach-admits-lying-plans-game-4-starting-lineup|title=Steve Kerr admits to lying before Game 4 about starting Andrew Bogut|last=McManamon|first=Pat|date=June 12, 2015|work=CBS Sports|access-date=August 20, 2015}} The Cavaliers scored the first seven points of the game and led 16–9, but the Warriors closed out the first quarter on a 22–8 run to lead 31–24. In the second quarter, the Cavaliers got a scare when LeBron James suffered a laceration on his head from a courtside photographer's camera lens after a hard foul on Bogut, but he stayed in the game without any stitches. The Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 23–18 in that period and led 54–42 at halftime.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20150611_GS@CLE|title=Warriors even NBA Finals, beat Cavaliers 103-82 in Game 4|last=Withers|first=Tom|date=June 12, 2015|work=CBS Sports|access-date=June 18, 2015}} The Cavaliers outscored the Warriors 28–22 in the third quarter as they cut a 15-point deficit down to 3 in two instances. The Cavaliers had it down to 65–62, but Harrison Barnes hit a three-pointer out of the timeout to stop the run.

With the Warriors leading 73–70 late in the third quarter, Stephen Curry hit a three to give the Warriors a 76–70 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Warriors dominated the final period, leading by as many as 23 as they outscored the Cavaliers 27–12.{{cite news|url=http://fox8.com/2015/06/11/cavaliers-to-take-on-warriors-in-game-4-of-the-nba-finals-lead-series-2-1/|title=Warriors beat Cavaliers, 103-82, in Game 4 of NBA Finals, series tied 2-2|date=June 11, 2015|publisher=FOX 8 Cleveland|access-date=June 18, 2015}} The Cavaliers shot 4-for-27 from behind the 3-point line for the game and were 6–45 outside the paint, a season worst. The 82 points that the Cavaliers scored were a postseason low while the Cavaliers' bench scoring production (7 points) was also a postseason low. Curry and Iguodala led the Warriors in scoring with 22 apiece. Timofey Mozgov led the Cavaliers with 28. After averaging 41 points in the first three games of the Finals, James was held to 20 points on 7–22 shooting.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796848|title=Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala help Warriors knot Finals vs. Cavs at 2-2|date=June 12, 2015|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 18, 2015}} After the game, Kerr admitted to his deception regarding the starting lineup, quipping, "I don't think they hand you the trophy based on morality."

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 14 |time=8:00 pm {{small|(5:00 pm PDT)}} |place=Oracle Arena, Oakland, California |TV=ABC

|team1=Cleveland Cavaliers |score1=91

|team2=Golden State Warriors |score2=104

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150614/CLEGSW/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=22–22 |Q2=28–29 |Q3=17–22 |Q4=24–31

|points1=LeBron James 40 |points2=Stephen Curry 37

|rebounds1=LeBron James 14 |rebounds2=Harrison Barnes 9

|assist1=LeBron James 11 |assist2=Andre Iguodala 7

|attendance=19,596

|referee=*No. 13 Monty McCutchen

• No. 19 James Capers
• No. 23 Jason Phillips

|series=Golden State leads series, 3–2

}}

Coming into this game with the series tied at 2 games apiece, the Game 5 winner had gone on to win the NBA championship in 20 of the previous 28 instances.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/warriors-expect-play-home-game-nba-finals-31752553|title=Sports News|author=ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=June 29, 2015}}

The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104–91 and took a 3–2 series lead heading back to Cleveland.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796849|title=Stephen Curry carries Warriors past LeBron, Cavs to brink of NBA title|date=June 15, 2015|work=ESPN|access-date=June 16, 2015}}

The first three quarters were tight, with neither team leading by more than 7. Both teams scored 22 points in the 1st quarter. The Warriors led 51–50 at halftime on a Harrison Barnes' three-point play following a dunk. They took a 6-point lead into the 4th quarter, leading 73–67. The Cavaliers opened the 4th quarter on a 13–6 run. LeBron James' deep three-pointer gave the Cavaliers an 80–79 lead with just over 7:30 remaining in the 4th quarter. However, the Warriors responded with a huge run, outscoring the Cavaliers 25–11 the rest of the way.{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jun/14/nba-finals-2015-cleveland-cavaliers-v-golden-state-warriors-live|title=NBA finals 2015: Cleveland Cavaliers 91–104 Golden State Warriors – as it happened|date=June 15, 2015|work=Guardian |access-date=June 16, 2015}} Curry scored 37 points on 13–23 shooting in the victory, including 7–13 from 3-point range. 17 of his 37 points came in the 4th quarter.{{cite web|url= https://www.tsn.ca/curry-warriors-get-title-shot-tonight-in-cleveland-1.309585?tsn-amp|title=Curry, Warriors get title shot tonight in Cleveland |date=June 15, 2015|work=The Sports Network|access-date=June 16, 2015}}

James had his second triple-double of this NBA Finals series, posting 40 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists. James led all players in points, rebounds and assists, and was responsible for 70 of 91 Cavaliers points (40 scored, 30 assisted).{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/610433682353061888|title=SportsCenter on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=June 17, 2015}} It was his sixth career finals triple double, second all-time behind only Magic Johnson with 8. James also tied Oscar Robertson for most 30–10–10 playoff games with 8. He became the second player in NBA Finals history to score 40 points in a triple double after Jerry West in 1969.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/610276335999692801|title=ESPN Stats & Info on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=June 17, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13080316/2015-nba-finals-lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers-remains-confident-best-world|title=2015 NBA Finals -- LeBron James of Cleveland Cavaliers remains confident -- 'I'm best in world'|work=ESPN.com|access-date=June 17, 2015}}

{{Basketballbox|bg=#eee |date=June 16 |time=9:00 pm |place=Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio |TV=ABC

|team1=Golden State Warriors |score1=105

|team2=Cleveland Cavaliers |score2=97

|report=[http://www.nba.com/games/20150616/GSWCLE/gameinfo.html Boxscore]

|Q1=28–15 |Q2=17–28 |Q3=28–18 |Q4=32–36

|points1= Curry, Iguodala 25 each |points2= LeBron James 32

|rebounds1= Draymond Green 11|rebounds2= LeBron James 18

|assist1= Draymond Green 10 |assist2= LeBron James 9

|attendance=20,562

|referee=*No. 48 Scott Foster

• No. 8 Marc Davis
• No. 28 Zach Zarba

|series=Golden State wins NBA Finals, 4–2

}}

The Warriors finished off the Cavaliers 105–97, winning the series 4–2. The Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 28–15 in the 1st quarter. However, the Cavaliers went on a big run to cut the deficit to 2 at halftime, trailing 45–43. The Cavaliers led 47–45 early in the third quarter, their only lead of the second half.{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400796850|title= Curry, Iguodala combine for 50 as Warriors close out Cavs in Game 6|date=June 17, 2015|work=ESPN|access-date=June 18, 2015}}

However, the Warriors outscored the Cavaliers 28–18 in the 3rd quarter, leading by as many 15 before taking a 12-point lead into the 4th, leading 73–61. In the 4th quarter, the Cavaliers cut the deficit down to 7, but the Warriors pushed the lead back to 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/jun/16/nba-finals-2015-golden-state-warriors-v-cleveland-cavaliers-game-6-live|title=Golden State Warriors win first NBA title in 40 years – as it happened|date=June 17, 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=June 18, 2015}}

The Cavaliers, led by J.R. Smith, made a late surge to cut it to 4 with under 40 seconds remaining.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/17/sports/basketball/nba-finals-2015-warriors-win-title-beating-cavaliers.html|title=Golden State Warriors End N.B.A. Title Drought With Victory Over Cavaliers|last=Cacciola|first=Scott|date=June 17, 2015|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=June 18, 2015}} However, the Warriors hit their free throws and closed out the series, giving the franchise their first title since 1975, and the city of Oakland its first major league sports championship since the Oakland Athletics won the 1989 World Series.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

Andre Iguodala, who did not start for the Warriors until Game 4 of the Finals, was named the Finals MVP for his instrumental defense against LeBron James, who led the Cavaliers with 32 points. Iguodala had the third lowest scoring average of any Finals MVP in NBA history.{{cite news|title=Was Andre Iguodala the lowest-scoring Finals MVP ever?|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/06/was_andre_iguodala_the_lowest-.html#7|publisher=The Birmingham News|website=AL.com|date=June 2015|access-date=February 27, 2016}} James became the youngest player to score 5000 career points in the playoffs.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2015/story/_/id/13096860/andre-iguodala-golden-state-warriors-named-nba-finals-mvp|title=Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series|date=June 16, 2015|work=ESPN.com}}

{{NBA roster header|team=Golden State Warriors|season=2014–15

| bg1 = #006BB6 | color1 = #FFFFFF

| bg2 = #FDB927 | color2 = #26282A

}}

{{player2 | num = 19 | first = Leandro | last = Barbosa | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 194 | from = Brazil | DOB = 1982–11–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 40 | first = Harrison | last = Barnes | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 225 | college = North Carolina | DOB = 1992–05–30 }}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Andrew | last = Bogut | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 260 | college = Utah | DOB = 1984–11–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Stephen | last = Curry | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 190 | college = Davidson | DOB = 1988–03–14 }}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Festus | last = Ezeli | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 255 | college = Vanderbilt | DOB = 1989–10–21 }}

{{player2 | num = 23 | first = Draymond | last = Green | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 230 | college = Michigan State | DOB = 1990–03–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 7 | first = Justin | last = Holiday | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 185 | college = Washington | DOB = 1989–04–05 }}

{{player2 | num = 9 | first = Andre | last = Iguodala | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 215 | college = Arizona | DOB = 1984–01–28 }}

{{player2 | num = 1 | first = Ognjen | last = Kuzmić | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 260 | from = Serbia | DOB = 1990–05–16 }}

{{player2 | num = 10 | first = David | last = Lee | dab = basketball | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 245 | college = Florida | DOB = 1983–04–29 }}

{{player2 | num = 34 | first = Shaun | last = Livingston | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 182 | school = Peoria Central HS (IL) | DOB = 1985–09–11 }}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = James Michael | last = McAdoo | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 230 | college = North Carolina | DOB = 1993–01–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Brandon | last = Rush | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 220 | college = Kansas | DOB = 1985–07–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = Marreese | last = Speights | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 255 | college = Florida | DOB = 1987–08–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 11 | first = Klay | last = Thompson | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 215 | college = Washington State | DOB = 1990–02–08 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• Steve Kerr

| asst_coach =

• Ron Adams
• Alvin Gentry
• Luke Walton
• Jarron Collins (player development)
• Bruce Fraser (player development)
• Keke Lyles (player performance)

| ath_train =

• Johan Wang

| otherlegend = (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate

| roster_url = http://www.nba.com/warriors/roster/

| transaction_url = http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Golden-State-Warriors/9/Transaction_History/2015

| accessdate =

}}

{{NBA roster header|team=Cleveland Cavaliers|season=2014–15

| bg1 = #860038 | color1 = #FFFFFF

| bg2 = #FDBB30 | color2 = #002D62

}}

{{player2 | num = 8 | first = Matthew | last = Dellavedova | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 200 | college = Saint Mary's | DOB = 1990–09–08 }}

{{player2 | num = 12 | first = Joe | last = Harris | dab = basketball | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 215 | college = Virginia | DOB = 1991–09–06 }}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Brendan | last = Haywood | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 263 | college = North Carolina | DOB = 1979–11–27 }}

{{player2 | num = 2 | first = Kyrie | last = Irving | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 193 | college = Duke | DOB = 1992–03–23 | note = }}

{{player2 | num = 23 | first = LeBron | last = James | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 250 | school = St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH) | DOB = 1984–12–30 }}

{{player2 | num = 1 | first = James | last = Jones | dab = basketball, born 1980 | pos = F/G | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 215 | college = Miami (Florida) | DOB = 1980–10–04 }}

{{player2 | num = 0 | first = Kevin | last = Love | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 243 | college = UCLA | DOB = 1988–09–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Shawn | last = Marion | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 228 | college = UNLV | DOB = 1978–05–07 }}

{{player2 | num = 18 | first = Mike | last = Miller | dab = basketball, born 1980 | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 218 | college = Florida | DOB = 1980–02–19 }}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = Timofey | last = Mozgov | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 1 | lbs = 250 | from = Russia | DOB = 1986–07–16 }}

{{player2 | num = 3 | first = Kendrick | last = Perkins | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 270 | school = Clifton J. Ozen (TX) | DOB = 1984–11–10 }}

{{player2 | num = 4 | first = Iman | last = Shumpert | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 220 | college = Georgia Tech | DOB = 1990–06–26 }}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = J. R. | last = Smith | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 220 | school = St. Benedict's Prep (NJ) | DOB = 1985–09–09 }}

{{player2 | num = 13 | first = Tristan | last = Thompson | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 238 | college = Texas | DOB = 1991–03–13 }}

{{player2 | num = 17 | first = Anderson | last = Varejão | pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 267 | from = Brazil | DOB = 1982–09–28 }}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

• David Blatt

| asst_coach =

• Jim Boylan
• Bret Brielmaier
• Larry Drew
• James Posey
• Tyronn Lue (associate head coach)
• Phil Handy (player development)
• Vitaly Potapenko (player development)
• Damon Jones (shooting consultant)

| ath_train =

• Michael Mancias
• Yusuke Nakayama
• Steve Spiro (head trainer)

| str_cond =

• Derek Millender (performance specialist)

| otherlegend = (DL) On assignment to D-League affiliate

| roster_url = http://www.nba.com/cavs/roster/

| transaction_url = http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Cleveland-Cavaliers/5/Transaction_History/2015

| accessdate =

}}

File:Heat Andre Iguodala (cropped) (cropped).jpg]]{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

;Golden State Warriors

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Golden State Warriors}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Leandro|Barbosa}} || 6 || 0 || 10.7 || .462 || .429 || 1.000 || 1.7 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 5.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Harrison|Barnes}} || 6 || 6 || 32.9 || .373 || .421 || .778 || 5.8 || 0.8 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 8.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Andrew|Bogut}} || 4 || 3 || 18.4 || .444 || .000 || .500 || 6.0 || 1.5 || 0.3 || 1.3 || 2.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Stephen|Curry}} || 6 || 6 || 42.5 || .443 || .385 || .885 || 5.2 || 6.3 || 1.8 || 0.2 || 26.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Festus|Ezeli}} || 5 || 0 || 10.0 || .467 || .000 || .727 || 3.4 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 0.6 || 4.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Draymond|Green}} || 6 || 6 || 37.0 || .381 || .263 || .735 || 8.3 || 5.0 || 2.2 || 1.2 || 13.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Justin|Holiday}} || 1 || 0 || 2.1 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

|-! style="background:#FDE910;"

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Andre|Iguodala}} || 6 || 3 || 37.1 || .521 || .400 || .357 || 5.8 || 4.0 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 16.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|David|Lee|dab=basketball}} || 4 || 0 || 9.7 || .533 || .000 || .545 || 2.5 || 1.5 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 5.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Shaun|Livingston}} || 6 || 0 || 20.1 || .480 || .000 || .750 || 3.5 || 2.2 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 5.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|James Michael|McAdoo}} || 1 || 0 || 1.2 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Marreese|Speights}} || 3 || 0 || 5.3 || .308 || .000 || .500 || 1.7 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 3.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Klay|Thompson}} || 6 || 6 || 37.9 || .409 || .300 || .917 || 4.3 || 1.7 || 0.5 || 1.0 || 15.8

{{s-end}}

;Cleveland Cavaliers

{{NBA roster statistics start|team=Cleveland Cavaliers}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Matthew|Dellavedova}} || 6 || 5 || 31.8 || .283 || .231 || .818 || 2.7 || 2.7 || 1.2 || 0.0 || 7.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Joe|Harris|dab=basketball}} || 2 || 0 || 1.6 || .000 || .000 || .500 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Kyrie|Irving}} || 1 || 1 || 43.6 || .455 || .250 || 1.000 || 7.0 || 6.0 || 4.0 || 2.0 || 23.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}} || 6 || 6 || 45.7 || .398 || .310 || .687 || 13.3 || 8.8 || 1.3 || 0.5 || 35.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|James|Jones|dab=basketball, born 1980}} || 6 || 0 || 18.8 || .316 || .308 || 1.000 || 1.3 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 0.2 || 3.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Mike|Miller|dab=basketball, born 1980}} || 5 || 0 || 5.7 || .500 || .500 || .000 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Timofey|Mozgov}} || 6 || 6 || 28.3 || .551 || .000 || .750 || 7.5 || 1.0 || 0.5 || 1.5 || 14.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Kendrick|Perkins}} || 1 || 0 || 3.1 || .000 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.0

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Iman|Shumpert}} || 6 || 6 || 35.9 || .256 || .320 || .643 || 3.8 || 0.7 || 1.8 || 0.7 || 6.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|J. R.|Smith}} || 6 || 0 || 33.6 || .312 || .294 || .600 || 4.3 || 1.0 || 0.5 || 0.8 || 11.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| {{sortname|Tristan|Thompson}} || 6 || 6 || 41.1 || .500 || .000 || .600 || 13.0 || 0.3 || 0.7 || 1.0 || 10.0

{{s-end}}

In the United States, the NBA Finals aired on ABC (including the local affiliates WEWS-TV in Cleveland and KGO-TV in San Francisco/Oakland) with Mike Breen as play-by-play commentator, and Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy serving as color commentators. ESPN Radio aired it as well and had Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown as commentators. ESPN Deportes provided exclusive Spanish-language coverage of The Finals, with a commentary team of Álvaro Martín and Carlos Morales.{{cite web|last=Carafdo|first=Ben|title=2015 NBA Finals – Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers – Exclusively on ABC SCHEDULE|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2015/06/2015-nba-finals-golden-state-warriors-vs-cleveland-cavaliers-exclusively-on-abc/|access-date=June 9, 2015|date=June 1, 2015}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

• Death Lineup
• Cavaliers–Warriors rivalry

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150531040329/http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2015/finals/index.html Official website]
• [https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2015-nba-finals-cavaliers-vs-warriors.html 2015 NBA Finals] at Basketball-Reference.com

{{NBA Finals}}

{{Golden State Warriors 2014–15 NBA champions}}

{{Golden State Warriors}}

{{Cleveland Cavaliers}}

{{2014–15 NBA season by team}}

{{NBA on ABC}}

{{NBA on ESPN Radio}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2015 NBA Finals}}

Finals

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