Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2: What We Learned

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May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (left), forward Kevin Love (center) and forward LeBron James (right) look on from the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

5. LeBron James isn’t a finalist for MVP.

James is playing arguably the best basketball of his career in his 14th season. Game 2 was just another typical 30 point performance from him.

LeBron is now the first first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to have 8 straight games of 30 or more points in a single postseason.

LeBron James: 1st to have 8 straight games with at least 30 points in single postseason since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1970 (via @EliasSports)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2017

James’s last 13 playoff games may go down as the best stretch of playoff basketball when it’s all said and done. Just take a look at those numbers.

LeBron since GSW went up 3-1:
41-16-7
41-8-11
27-11-11
36-6-13
25-10-7
41-13-12
33-10-4
35-10-4
39-6-4
35-8-7
35-9-6
38-9-7
30-4-7
13 Ws 0Ls
— nick wright (@getnickwright) May 20, 2017

Even though he’s put up numbers like that, he isn’t a finalist for MVP. Not to take anything away from James Harden, Kwahi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook, but to not have LeBron as one of the finalists seems laughable.

After the game J.R. Smith told reporters that LeBron not being a finalist for MVP was absurd, but he was able to put a positive spin on it. He said, “It’s (LeBron not winning the MVP) just another chip on his shoulder, which helps us.”

Smith may be right. James not being a finalist for MVP may be the fuel he needs to continue this incredible string of play up.

Must Read: Should the Cavs Keep Or Trade Their 2018 First Round Pick?

The Cavs will look to continue their dominance in Game 3 on Sunday night.