Confident Cavs say they will come back

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — They’ve survived amid turmoil for months, their season morphing into the NBA’s most compelling reality show.

The must- watch Cleveland Cavaliers have been hardened by the nonstop drama around them. So it’s not a surprise they’re calm despite trailing the Boston Celtics 2- 0 in the Eastern Conference finals.

“We know what it takes,” coach Tyronn Lue said on the eve of Saturday’s Game 3. “We’re down 0- 2. No need to panic.”

Two years ago, Cleveland trailed 2- 0 and then 3- 1 in the NBA Finals to the Warriors before coming back to win in seven games and end the city’s 52- year championship drought. In 2007, LeBron James rallied the Cavs from a 2- 0 deficit against Detroit, the hardwood king commencing his legacy by scoring Cleveland’s final 25 points during a Game 5 road win.

But Boston clearly has momentum and the Celtics intend to keep it.

“We’re just gonna try to use it,” said forward Marcus Morris, “and ride it.”

James responded from a sub- par performance in Game 1 by scoring 42 points with 12 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 2. Still, the Cavs lost.

“That’s a game- changer in itself,” said Morris, one of the many defenders Celtics coach Brad Stevens is using on James. “LeBron came out and did everything he could. To his guys, they see that and they still came up short. That’s a feeling going back up, it kind of puts you in a mood you don’t want to be in.”

Speaking of moods. James, who hasn’t spoken to the media since Tuesday’s game, screamed an obscenity in frustration Friday while working on his jump shot following practice.

To the outside world, Cleveland appears in trouble. They’re facing a younger, more physical team that has been written off several times already.

To the Cavs, this is just another bump in the road.