Smith denies thinking Cavs led at end of regulation; Lue contradicts him
J.R. Smith says he didn't think his Cleveland Cavaliers held a lead over the Golden State Warriors on the final possession of regulation in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
With 4.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game tied, teammate George Hill missed the would-be go-ahead free throw. Smith corralled it and dribbled out to the 3-point line, rather than attempting a close-range two.
Talking with the press after the game, Smith explained that he knew the Cavaliers were tied, but he thought someone was going to call a timeout.
J.R. Smith on his late game blunder: pic.twitter.com/Bf79SAhjhp
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 1, 2018
Smith's account doesn't square with Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue's description of events. In his postgame media availability, Lue didn't mince words, bluntly telling reporters: Smith "thought it was over. He thought we were up one."
Having wasted precious seconds on Smith's apparent late-game error, the Cavaliers couldn't get a shot off at the end of regulation. They were summarily outscored 17-7 in overtime, blowing an opportunity to steal Game 1 on the road in what is widely expected to be yet another Finals victory for the star-studded Warriors.