The Boston Celtics need to be weary of James’ history of falling down 0-1
The Boston Celtics dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but this isn’t the first time Lebron James has been defeated in Game 1 of a series.
Although players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford had great performances to start the series, the Cavaliers cannot be counted out just yet. In other words, the King cannot be underestimated this early on in the series.
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Boston should take a lesson from the Chicago Bulls, regardless of what season we’re talking about. 2011, the Bulls take Game 1 against James and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals and go on to lose the series in five games.
2013, Chicago takes Game 1 against James and the Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and also go on to lose the series in five games. Finally, in 2015, the Bulls win Game 1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Lebron and the Cavaliers and, yet again, go on to lose the series in six games.
Why is this stat relevant? Because the Celtics are not immortal. They are not some type of kryptonite that the Cavaliers are unable to get through. Lebron has solidified himself as, if not the best, one of the best players in NBA history. He has single-handedly gotten through the 1st two rounds almost by himself. Boston can’t let one win identify how the rest of the series will unfold.
However, it’s not necessarily impossible that the Celtics can beat the Cavaliers. We’ve seen how great their team chemistry has been so far in the Playoffs, so there is no reason to count them out of making the NBA Finals.
Remember, they are without their two superstars in Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, so even putting up a fight with the best basketball player of our generation is enough to show that the Celtics are real.
However, we even witnessed Lebron blow Game 1 of a Playoff series in the 1st round with the Indiana Pacers. Obviously, the Cavaliers went on to win in seven games, but the Celtics should use that as motivation to not be the next team on Lebron’s list to win Game 1, but lose the series.
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This series will surely get interesting and everyone should grab their popcorn before supermarkets run out.