King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: A complete guide to the East NOT being weak

By Alishah Pearine

AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 18: Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat on court against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena on December 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 18: Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat on court against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena on December 18, 2013 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

2011-12 Playoff Run

Eastern Conference Semifinals: Indiana Pacers 

Many forget that this year was the lockout season which was the reason why there weren’t many 50 win teams. The Heat played Indiana in the semifinals after beating the New York Knicks in the first round. Indiana not only had a top ten defense in the league (9th in the league), but they also had a top ten offense as well (7th in the league).

They finished the season off 42-24, well on pace for 50+ wins. Another factor many people don’t either recall or tend to ignore is the fact that Bosh played only 15 minutes the entire series after sustaining a groin injury in Game 1. Indiana went on to hold a 2-1 lead and if it wasn’t for LeBron and Wade completely taking over, Indiana could have been playing Boston in the Conference Finals.

The Pacers had five players average more than 10 points, but it was LeBron and Wade—combining for 56.2 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 9.5 assists— who would go on to win 3 straight and close out the Indiana Pacers.

Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics

After losing in 5 games to the Miami Heat the Celtics were out to get their revenge. They finished the season 39-27 and had the best defense in the NBA, holding teams to 89.3 points per game.  With Bosh still out with a groin injury, it was up to LeBron and Wade to put their capes on and take over.

Miami came out swinging to start the series, winning the first two games, at home, by 10+ points. It looked like Miami was going to beat the Celtics down for the second consecutive year, until Boston came back and won 3 straight games—putting the Heat’s title hopes on the line.

With Wade being held to 21 points on 44% and Bosh only playing in one game since his groin injury,  it was up to LeBron to save the Heat’s season. He accepted the challenged and scored 45 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a do or die Game 6.

The Heat went on to win in 7 games and LeBron would finally win his first championship.