Video: Marreese Speights botches fast-break dunk in Game 2 of Finals

The Golden State Warriors' Marreese Speights missed a fast-break dunk and fell into a referee in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

SI Staff | Jun 7, 2015

Video: Marreese Speights botches fast-break dunk in Game 2 of Finals /

In a tightly contested matchup in Game 2 of the NBA Finals where every possession counted, Klay Thompson had trouble missing the bottom of the net, but LeBron James finally got a little help from his friends, particularly the Cavaliers' Timofey Mozgov and Matthew Dellavedova, who helped Cleveland to a 95–93 overtime victory.

But as the third quarter winded down with the score at 62–59, the Warriors were looking to pull away and capitalize on a turnover by Dellavedova, who started in place of the Cavaliers' injured point guard Kyrie Irving, who will miss the remainder of the Finals with a knee injury.

Draymond Green picked off the errant pass by Dellavedova, which then found its way into the hands of Golden State's Marreese Speights, who then trounced down the floor unguarded for a spectacular, high-flying slam dunk—right? Wrong. After taking a few long strides down the lane, Speights went up for the two-handed slam only to fumble the ball, completely missing the easy bucket.

• MORE NBA: LeBron misses layup at end of regulation | Game 2 highlights

It wasn't the best moment for the 6'10", 255-pound big man, who proceeded to stumble down the side of the court and barrel into a referee.

• MORE NBA: Warriors fan hits half-court shot | Playoff coverage | Schedule

And for historical reference, this isn't the first time Speights's ability to finish a dunk has been called into question:

GALLERY: Sports Illustrated's best photos from Game 2 of NBA Finals

SI's Best Photos From Game 2 of the NBA Finals

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

LeBron James celebrates a hard-fought victory, one in which he had a triple double.

Matthew Dellavedova contests a shot by Stephen Curry in overtime.

After being fouled on a rebound and shot attempt in overtime, Matthew Dellavedova went to the free throw line and sank the go-ahead points for Cleveland in its 95-93 victory.

Steph Curry got J.R. Smith to foul out on this play, then put Golden State in front 93-92 on the two free throws with 29.5 seconds left in overtime.

Draymond Green had four blocks, including this one of LeBron James.

With the game tied and 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Golden State harrassed LeBron James into missing this shot.

Steph Curry's finger-roll with 7.2 seconds remaining tied the game and were the final points scored in regulation.

LeBron James got raked across the arm on this sequence but no foul was called.

LeBron James couldn't believe some of the non-calls in Sunday's game.

J.R. Smith was more aggressive at attacking the basket now that Kyrie Irving is lost to the Cavaliers for the remainder of the series.

Steve Kerr and the Warriors missed a golden chance to go ahead two games to none.

Timofey Mozgov drew a lot of fouls in the lane and made seven of 12 free throw attempts.

Steph Curry had a horrid shooting night, making only five of 23 attempts. He came up empty on 13 of his 15 three-point attempts.

Shaun Livingston scored three points in 14 minutes of action.

Cleveland's defenders close in on Steph Curry.

Andrew Bogus battles LeBron James for a rebound. Bogut finished with 10 on the night while James pulled down 16.

Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 34 points.

Steph Curry tries to defend against LeBron James.

Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson do their best to try to slow down LeBron James.

Klay Thompson played a team-high 46 minutes and sank 14 of his 28 shots.

LeBron James finished with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in 50 minutes.

''It's the grit squad right now,'' LeBron James said of the undermanned Cavaliers. ''If you expect us to play sexy cute basketball, that's not us right now. Everything is tough and it has to be that for rest of series.''

LeBron James took longer than usual to compose himself after getting hit across the nose by Draymond Green on a hard foul in the fourth quarter.

Tristan Thompson attempts to block a Draymond Green shot.

Bay Area native Carlos Santana performed the national anthem before Game 2 at Oracle Arena.

–Daniel Friedman

Published Jun 7, 2015

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