The Cavaliers got their playoff campaign off to a shaky start against the Pacers, losing Game 1, 98-80, marking the first time LeBron James had lost a first-round game since 2012.
Despite the lackluster effort on the Cavs' home floor Sunday afternoon, James insists that there is no time for panic.
"I'm down 0-1 in the first round. I was down 3-1 in the Finals," James said after the game. "I'm the last guy to ask about how you're going to feel the next couple of days."
"I'm down 0-1 in the first round. I was down 3-1 in the Finals. I'm the last guy to ask about how you're going to feel the next couple of days." - @KingJames#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/56gusW4Dy6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 15, 2018
While Cleveland's defense has been the glaring issue heading into the playoffs, the Cavs couldn't seem to get going offensively either.
As a team, they shot just 8-of-33 (23.5 percent) from the 3-point line, and just 38.5 percent from the field. While LeBron did his thing, posting his 20th postseason triple-double (24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds), no other Cavs starter scored in double figures. Jeff Green, Kyle Korver, Jordan Clarkson and Jose Calderon combined to shoot just 1-for-17.
There's no situation LeBron hasn't seen in the playoffs, but this upstart Pacers unit is definitely not to be underestimated.
After dropping a game-high 32 points, Victor Oladipo said he had a little extra motivation, explaining that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's comments about the offseason trade that sent Paul George to Oklahoma City in exchange for Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis had added some fire to his game.
Pacers’ Victor Oladipo on #Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s comment in July that Indiana didn’t get enough in Paul George deal: “I’m aware of it. I guess you could say it added fuel to the fire.”
— Marla Ridenour (@MRidenourABJ) April 15, 2018
The Pacers won three of their four regular season games against the Cavs, and after stealing home court, anything is possible.
Game 2 takes place Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
