The Cleveland Cavaliers are in unfamiliar territory right now as they trail the Boston Celtics 0-2 in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Luckily, they’re heading back home to Quicken Loans Arena where they’ll host Games 3 as well as 4, and, hopefully, get in the win column.
James hasn’t trailed a series 0-2 since 2008 when the Cavs dropped the first two games to the Paul Pierce-led Celtics that went on to win the NBA Championship. According to ESPN Stats and Info, James has been down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference three times, and in all of those series, James has won Games 3 and 4.
James, who trailed the Detroit Pistons 0-2 in the 2006 playoffs, came back to win the next three games and take a 3-2 lead in the second-round series. Detroit mustered up back to back wins in Games 6 and 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals
James also trailed the Pistons 0-2 in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, but came back to win four games in a row and advance to the franchise’s first NBA Finals. That series saw James score 25 straight points and 29 of 30 in Game 5 to lead Cleveland to a road victory.
The Cavs didn’t’ come to play in Game 1 of this current series, but actually held an 11-point lead in the first half of Game 2. James suffered a scary head injury, and the Celtics were able to inch closer. They took over in the second half and won Game 2 convincingly.
Game 3 will be on Saturday night at 8:30PM EST, and it’s easily a must-win game for the Cavs.
