Matthew Dellavedova missed the team bus after Game 1 of the NBA Finals. He missed the press conference after Game 3.
The Australian guard received treatment for dehydration at a Cleveland hospital after his gritty, 20-point performance, switching his mode of postgame transportation from cab to ambulance.
“Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova experienced severe cramping tonight following Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland,” the Cavaliers noted in a release. “He underwent a treatment process, including an IV, that prevented him from being available for media following the game. He will continue receiving treatment tonight at the Cleveland Clinic and his status will be updated tomorrow afternoon.”
Apart from playing his normal, physical game, Dellavedova made several circus-like runners off the glass, sank two three-pointers, and dished a roof-raising, 4th-quarter alley-oop to King James.
Dellavedova’s selection at #61 in the 2013 NBA Draft and occasional play as the hardwood equivalent of a hockey goon invites loud and frequent skepticism.
But Dellavedova retains a big fan in LeBron James, especially since Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving watch the Finals from the sidelines. The Cavs, and James, really needed the next man up to step up.
“For 38.5 minutes, he gave everything that he got,” James commented after the game, calling the hard-nosed Aussie a player “willing to sacrifice everything for the betterment of the team.”
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