LeBron carries Cavs to the NBA Finals
THE Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team to qualify for the 2018 NBA Finals after the LeBron-led visitors defeated the Boston Celtics in TD Garden by 8-points.
James, who played the entire Game 7 in Boston, recorded 35 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists to deliver an improbable road win against a team who had not lost at home across the entire 2018 post-season.
They are the first team to qualify for the NBA Finals, but the market isn’t giving Cleveland much of a chance to win a second title in three years.
The Cavs are the $6 outsiders at Sportsbet to win the 2017/18 title behind the Golden State Warriors ($1.62) and the Houston Rockets ($3.50).
"BLOCKED BY JAMES… HE DID IT AGAIN!"#WhateverItTakes #NBAPlayoffs
📺: @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/LgwMKzJuRH
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2018
James got help tonight in the form of 19-points and 8 rebounds from Jeff Green, but for the most part it was a one-act affair.
The superstar acknowledged his own importance to the Cavs post-game, stating that he left it all out on the court in their third elimination game this playoffs.
“I’m trying to squeeze this orange until there’s no more juice left,” James said.
The win continues James’ domination of the eastern conference. LeBron has taken the Cavs or the Miami Heat to the finals as the east champions for eight consecutive years.
While James was reluctant to accept all the accolades for Cleveland’s third-straight eastern conference appearance, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue gave his star all the praise.
“He’s unbelievable, man,” Lue said.
“He’s the best player in the world.”
The Cav’s NBA Finals opponent will be decided on Tuesday as the Golden State Warriors ($1.39 at Ladbrokes) travel to Houston to play the Rockets ($3.10) in game 7 of the western conference finals.
