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LeBron James Says | "Guys just have to play better....including myself"

LeBron James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, but it was not enough to prevent Indiana's comeback victory.
Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) wipes the sweat from his face with his jersey against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

The Cavaliers are in a bit of trouble as this first round series with the Pacers continues. And frankly, I'm not sure if gray suits are going to be enough to pull them through this round.

LeBron James seemed to be setting a fun tone before Friday's Game 3 in Indianapolis when he dressed up his teammates in some sweet gray suits from Thom Browne.

The mood changed about five hours later when James addressed the media following the Cavaliers' 92-90 loss to the Pacers. Indiana now leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1, with Game 4 set for Sunday evening at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

So what do we make of Friday?

My colleague, Ben Axelrod, wrote a spot-on analysis from Indianapolis after the loss. He's right, LBJ is not getting nearly enough help.

It's like members of the Cavaliers are waiting for Kyrie Irving to run out from under the tunnel and suddenly don the Wine and Gold again. Sorry, Uncle Drew ain't walking through that door.

Kevin Love needs to start playing like the second option on this team and the five-time All-Star that he is. J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, George Hill, and Jeff Green need to act like accomplished veterans and pick up the load. Larry Nance, Jordan Clarkson, and Rodney Hood need to grow up.

And Tyronn Lue needs to figure out his rotations. Now would be a good time.

Before the game, Lue seemed to indicate that he was going to bring Tristan Thompson out of mothballs and play him in Game 3

Didn't happen.

Remember Jose Calderone, who had performances of 14 and 19 points in key victories against the Raptors down the stretch? He has played 22 total minutes in the first three games of the series, including a DNP on Friday.

The Cavs have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to depth. More than they have had since James returned. (I'm not talking talent, because clearly there is the Irving void, but in terms of number of viable options on the bench) Lue still looks like he hasn't figured out how to distribute minutes and have certain guys on the floor in certain situations.

Despite all of that negative stuff, this was a WINABLE game for the Cavs. They led by 17 at the half before the wheels came off. The Cavaliers managed just 33 second half points and no one out there besides LeBron looked like they wanted the ball in their hands.

Here's what I mean:

So take all of that, then throw in Jason Lloyd of The Athletic asking James about getting his teammates to step up their game, and you get this response from the four-time MVP:

At this point, it feels like there are only two ways the Cavs are going to win this series (and have a real chance to move forward this postseason):

  • If LeBron puts in a Herculean effort like we saw in Game 2 with 46 points
  • Or the Cavs need to get at least five of their players to score in double figures, with Love needing to be closer to 20, as opposed to 10.

Otherwise, you'll see more games like tonight with the team struggling to score.

What about Sunday?

Can the Cavaliers afford to come home down 3-1 in the series? I wouldn't advise it. Here's how LBJ views Game 4:

The LeBron James Says Dunk of the Night

This one was a beauty. A spin move around Lance Stephenson before serving up a facial to Domantas Sabonis in the first quarter.

Talk to you on Sunday night when we hopefully will be looking at a series all tied at 2 coming back to the Q.

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