Thompson's final minute encapsulates why he's worth big deal
In a two-play sequence late in Monday night's game, Tristan Thompson proved why he's an $82-million man.
It wasn't LeBron James or Kyrie Irvin or Kevin Love who lifted the Cavs to a bounce-back win.
It was Thompson, first, with an-off balance jumper to put the Cavs up two with 39.5 seconds left, then on the next possession, a monstrous rejection of George Hill's attempt at tying the game.
While a regular season game is just that in the NBA, this one definitely meant something for the Cavs. J.R. Smith called out the team's effort following a blowout loss in Washington, in which they slogged through most of the second half, falling behind by as many as 30.
Comments after the 100-96 win over the Pacers only further proved it.
"That performance last night [in Washington] was B.S. We didn't come ready to play and we can't have that down the stretch," Thompson said. "The way we responded tonight was -- we had to perform and get the win."
Unlike Friday night's game in Toronto, in which Love said the Cavs "didn't weather the storm" as well as they could have, the Cavs showed their grit in a close game against a likely Eastern Conference playoff team.
Indiana fought and fought, through 25 lead changes and 17 ties, as much of the Eastern Conference's top 10 or so have this season against the Cavs.
James led the way as usual for the Cavs with 33 points but, back home at The Q, Cleveland had a storm guard: Thompson, who had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 11 boards.
We all saw how valuable Thompson could be in the Cavs' run to last year's Finals.
When he exhibits that clutch gene, watch out.
