Though he claimed to have "zero level of concern at this stage," the perpetually cool LeBron James seemed pressed after the Celtics' 108-83 Game 1 win over his Cavaliers.
"I didn't go to college, so it's not March Madness, you find ways to get better throughout the series," he said. "I've been down 0-1, I've been down 0-2. For me there's no level of concern no matter how bad I played tonight."
If that sentiment is genuine, he's lucky he thinks that way after his Game 1 performance.
His -32 on the game tied for the worst in his playoff career. He'd been leading the playoffs with 34.3 points per game, and Sunday he was held to 15 for the 12th time in all his postseasons.
The Cavaliers waved their white flag early when they sent him to the bench with around six minutes left. By the time James took a seat, he had racked up seven turnovers. That's a lot for the man who only had eight overall in Round 2.
In all fairness, he had a point -- as he usually does. He recalled Round 1 when the Pacers "punched (Cleveland) in the mouth" in Game 1 and the Cavs still won the series.
"Game 1 has always been a feel-out game for me," he said.
There's almost no way he'll go down like he did tonight in Game 2, but until then he has more to "feel out" than he has in a decade. The 25-point loss was the second biggest Game 1 L he's ever taken -- the worst since a 27-point loss in 2006.
Perhaps the most impressive thing James did tonight happened off the court:
Reporter: "What happened early in the fourth quarter?"LeBron James: (Initiates photographic memory) pic.twitter.com/KLbkjCA2Wy
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 13, 2018Of course it's still LeBron James we're talking about. And yes, it was just one game at home. Insert every disclaimer your heart desires right here if you want.
Once again, Las Vegas bet against the Celtics. Once again, the Celtics walked out of TD Garden with a win. This one might've been served with another side of third quarter doubt, but a Marcus Morris dunk, a Marcus Smart three, and a Jayson Tatum layup erased that just 69 seconds into the fourth.
