James’ finals streak in jeopardy
INDIANAPOLIS – The pressure facing LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday will be enormous.
Cleveland was blitzed in Game 6 on Friday night by the Indiana Pacers, 12187, meaning Sunday afternoon’s Game 7 will settle this superb best-of-seven series. It has come to this because the Pacers have clearly not been intimidated by the moment, or by James.
Imagine if the Pacers pull off the improbable Sunday and hand James a first-round defeat for the first time in his career. James could possibly decide to leave Cleveland – again – this offseason, which would make the aftermath of losing this series an even bigger nightmare for Cleveland.
The Indiana Pacers ‘punched the Cavaliers in the mouth’ in Game 6. Can they do it again in Game 7?
Following Friday’s game, James was asked if he would think about the possibility that Game 7 could be his last home game in Cleveland.
“No,” said James. “The thought that if we don’t play well, it will be my last game of the year. That will probably hit my mind.”
James dismissed the notion that the Cavaliers will face more pressure to win Game 7 than the underdog Pacers.
“We’re a newer team than they are, if you look at it,” said James, referring to the multiple trades the Cavaliers made in February. “They’ve been together all year. Our team just got put together late February.
“We do have homecourt. We played well enough to get homecourt in the first round. Just try to protect home. The narrative between now and Sunday, obviously I won’t hear any of it. I hope my guys will stay away from it as well.”
But if the Cavaliers were to lose Sunday, it would halt James’ streak of reaching the NBA finals for seven consecutive seasons. It would also be the first time in his career that James lost a first-round series. James dropped the first two Game 7s of his career, but he has won his last four Game 7s, including in 2013, when his Miami Heat team defeated the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
What is at stake for the Cavaliers could begin to weigh on them in Game 7, especially if they fall behind early, or find themselves in a tight fourth-quarter. The Pacers will also take enormous confidence to Cleveland, after winning there in Game 1, and suffering close losses at Quicken Loans Arena in Game 2 and Game 5,
The Pacers also have a star player in Victor Oladipo who has the talent and audacity to take over a Game 7. Friday night, Oladipo played with a swagger that was defiant on the way to his tripledouble (28 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists). Oladipo was willing to dunk on anyone standing in his way, and was hellbent on breaking loose after Cleveland had held him to fewer than 20 points during the previous three games.
“I just got out of my own way and SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018 made shots,” said Oladipo.
Asked about Game 7, Oladipo flatly said, “We’re looking forward to it. There’s nothing wrong with a little challenge. Obviously it’s a big challenge ahead, but we’re looking forward to the game. The key is keeping our composure.”
When Oladipo played well in Game 1 and Game 6, the Pacers dominated. By contrast, even when James has been spectacular, the Cavaliers have struggled to win.
If that does not worry the Cavaliers, it should. Even if James plays like the best player on the planet in Game 7, it may not be enough to carry the Cavaliers to victory. James is going to need help, and some of his teammates are venturing into the unknown. Key players like Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Jeff Green, and Rodney Hood are playing in their first playoff series with James. With they shine under the pressure? Or shrink.
It should also concern the Cavaliers that their other All-Star, Kevin Love, has struggled throughout the series. Love was held to seven points in Game 6 on 3 for 10 shooting.
“He’s a huge part of our success, or not success,” said James, speaking of Love. “We try to go to him, we want to go to him. Obviously, we can’t make the shots for him. He has to step up and knock those down. We have to continue to let him know how important he is to our success. If we’re going to have any success in Game 7, move on to the next round, Kev has to be a big part of it.”
James had 22 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in Game 6, but afterward he looked like a boxer who had been on the losing end of a decision. He wore a bandage over his left eye to protect a cut that he said required two stitches, and he was also poked in the eye during the game. The Pacers have tugged hard on Superman’s cape. From the first minute of Game 6, the Pacers made it clear they would not lay down, would not go quietly, would not play with fear. They have been like that all season, and coach Nate McMillan expected the same for Game 7.
“How bad do we want it?” said McMillan. “This (Game 6) was going to show our character. I thought these guys responded to the things we had on the board. We never talked about losing, we talked about winning.”