OAKLAND, Calif. -- JR Smith claims he thought the Cleveland Cavaliers were going to call timeout after he corralled an offensive rebound with less than five seconds remaining in regulation in their eventual 124-114 overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
That's why, Smith said, he did not take a potentially game-winning shot with the score tied.
It wasn't a case of him believing the Cavs were ahead and trying to run out the clock for the win, Smith added.
"It was a tie ballgame and we had a timeout," Smith said.