Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned vs. Indiana Pacers Game 7

LeBron is the all-time playoff steals leader.

James finished Game 7 with four steals. He has now passed Scottie Pippen for the lead in that category with 399 career steals in the playoffs.

LeBron is now the leader in playoff points in steals. He is also third all-time in playoff assists, seventh in rebounds and twentieth in blocks.

There may not be a single playoff record standing when LeBron is finished.

The role players can step up.

The Cavs role players were missing for most of the series as LeBron was forced to carry the entire offensive load. James also carried most of the load until he exited the game for the first time at the end of the third quarter.

Kevin Love and George Hill carried the Cavs home as LeBron left the game with cramps. Both players combined for 17 points in the final frame.

Love and Hill found success running a simple pick and roll. Indiana didn’t have an answer for it as it resulted in multiple open looks including two big threes from Love.

Hill and Love haven’t had much time to figure things out together on the floor due to injury. But, that last stretch in the biggest game of the season shows just how lethal of a combination it can be. The Cleveland Cavaliers finished with a 118.3 offensive rating, 103.1 defensive rating, and 15.3 net rating in the 11 minutes Hill and Love shared the floor.

This fourth quarter run also highlights Hill’s importance to the team. The Cavs’ struggles this series have largely come with Hill on the bench dealing with back issues. His ability to initiate the offense and get others involved can’t be overstated. It’s no accident that Love has played his best this series in Game 2 and 7 with Hill on the floor.