NBA Playoffs: LeBron James reveals KEY reason for Cavs' Game 1 win over Toronto Raptors
LEBRON JAMES hailed the crucial contributions of his Cleveland Cavaliers team-mates as they made up for his below-par shooting to claim a Game 1 win over the Toronto Raptors.
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The Cavs were billed as underdogs, despite four-time MVP James’ presence, against No 1 seed Toronto but came back from a slow first quarter, clawing back a 14-point deficit, to force over-time and edge victory at Air Canada Centre.
James was crucial in overcoming the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the first round of the post-season but was below-par, at least in terms of his shooting efficiency, in their Eastern Conference semi-finals series opener against the Raptors.
Despite racking up a triple-double with 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, the 33-year-old shot just 12-for-30 as Cleveland claimed a narrow 113-112 win.
And the forward admitted that his team-mates came to the fore to help make up for what he claimed to reporters was one of his “worst game of the season.”
Speaking to the media, James said: “I definitely wasn’t efficient as I like to be. I missed a lot of open looks and a lot of open threes.
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“Because of the injury I had in Game 7 I didn’t get an opportunity to get on to the court in the morning [before the game] and yesterday.
The only thing that matters is trying to get a win and my team-mates were unbelievable. They stepped up when I wasn’t at my best. They were phenomenal.
“The only thing that matters is trying to get a win and my team-mates were unbelievable. They stepped up when I wasn’t at my best.
“They were phenomenal. Kev [Kevin Love] kind of struggled first half and Jeff [Green] picked him up.
“Kyle [Korver] had his second half and Kev came back and had an unbelievable second half and was a monster on the glass.
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“J.R. [Smith] was consistent all game with his ability to shoot the ball.
“Double T [Tristan Thompson] picked up right where he left off in Game 7, being a monster that we’ve grown accustomed to last few years on the glass, making his free throws and getting us extra possessions.
“It was an all-around team win, everybody contributed and we definitely needed it.”
James and the Cavs face the Raptors in Game 2 later today (11pm tip-off UK time).