MATTHEW Dellavedova has been widely praised by his coaches and team-mates after his starring role in Cleveland's NBA win over Washington on the weekend.
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In just the 11th game of the regular season, the rookie from Maryborough played 30 minutes of the Cavaliers 103-96 overtime win.
He scored two points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists, had two steals and played some great defence on Washington star Bradley Beal.
Cavs coach Mike Brown said Dellavedova's impact was just as crucial as Kyrie Irving's game-high 41 points.
"Kyrie's 41 obviously was huge, especially the way he got it,'' Brown told cleveland.com
"But Dellavedova's performance on both ends of the floor … I'm speechless.
"For a rookie to step in like that … he's a winner. He's done it all training camp.
"He's done it his whole life, done it with the Australian Olympic team and he did it for us tonight. It was a heck of a job.''
Irving, who was born in Australia, talked up Dellavedova's performance, stating the Cavs wouldn't have won without the former Bendigo junior.
"He (Dellavedova) started the charge and we were just following him,'' Irving said.
"He put us on his back emotionally and on the defensive end was leading our charge. Without that defensive pressure with Matt, we couldn't have done it.''
Dellavedova was his normal modest self.
"I was just out there doing whatever I needed to be doing, whether it was guarding (Bradley) Beal or boxing out or setting a screen or just trying to move the ball,'' Dellavedova said.
"Obviously, Kyrie and (Jarrett) Jack are great playmakers.''
The Cavs are enjoying a three-day break before they face Washington again, this time in Cleveland.