Cavs confident they can bounce back
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – They have survived amid turmoil for months, their season morphing into the NBA’s most compelling reality show – or, as some have called it, spectacle.
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. “We’re down 0-2. No need to panic.”
“We know what we’ve got to do,” added All-Star forward Kevin Love on the eve of Saturday’s Game 3.
The Cavs have been in dire straits before in the postseason.
Just two years ago, Cleveland trailed 2-0 and then 3-1 in the NBA Finals to Golden State before coming back to win in seven games and end the city’s 52year championship drought. And back in the 2007 playoffs, 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 victory.
Although Cleveland has some comeback history on its side, Boston has momentum and the Celtics intend to keep it.
“We’re just gonna try to use it,” said forward Marcus Morris, “and ride it.”
As expected, James responded from a subpar performance in Game 1 by scoring 42 points, with 12 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 2.
Still, the Cavs lost and the lack of production from several teammates, most notably guards J.R. Smith and George Hill. They have been outplayed by Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier so far, and that could be deflating.
Not to the Celtics, who gained confidence in shrugging off James’ haymaker.