LeBron, the Celtics, and Game 7s: A primer
LeBron James' body of work in elimination games is near-legendary. After Friday's 46-point performance in Game 6 against the Boston Celtics, James has now had either a triple-double or a 40-point outing in each of his last seven elimination games.
But what about the ultimate elimination contest, Game 7?
| LeBron in Game 7s | |
|---|---|
| W-L | 5-2 |
| PTS | 34.8 |
| REB | 9.1 |
| AST | 5.1 |
| FG% | 48.2 |
Either with the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Miami Heat, James has been on the winning side of the last five Game 7s he's played in. Sunday against the Celts, this will become the first postseason since 2013 in which he's played in two Game 7s - he scored 45 points to beat the Indiana Pacers in April.
Going into Boston on Sunday, however, ought to evoke some memories of the last time he lost a seventh game.
Almost exactly 10 years ago, LeBron's Cavs entered TD Garden to face the Celtics in Game 7 of the East semifinals. Much like the present day, he was dragging a mediocre squad with him. James dueled Paul Pierce, but his 45 points weren't enough - the Cavs' second-leading scorer was Delonte West with 15 - as Cleveland fell 97-92.
That's why Kevin Love's absence from Sunday's Game 7 due to a concussion looms large. While James has dragged undermanned teams to the NBA Finals before, the Cavs losing their second-leading scorer and top rebounder doesn't bode well in a hostile environment.
Veteran point guard George Hill stepped up in Love's absence Friday with 20 points - his highest output since March - but he's been hot and cold all series. In Cleveland, he shot 53 percent and averaged 15.3 points per game; in Boston, he shot 31 percent and averaged five points.
Related - Celtics' Smart expects ugly Game 7: 'Ready for a dogfight'
The Celtics, meanwhile, are 19-4 all time at home in Game 7s and have won their last three at TD Garden dating back to 2012. The last time they lost a seventh game on their home court was in 2009 against the Orlando Magic. In these playoffs, the C's are undefeated in Boston and have tied the NBA record of 10 straight postseason wins at home.
Few people will completely write off LeBron's ability to punch his ticket to an eighth straight Finals. But making it there will likely take a historic performance from James - perhaps even an unprecedented one.