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The ‘Other Cavs’ crucial to Cleveland’s Game 6 victory

By Robbie DiPaola

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: George Hill #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after a play in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 25: George Hill #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after a play in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, with contributions from all around, took care of Game 6 and will return to Boston for Game 7 on Sunday.

46 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals for LeBron James in an elimination game. Just another day at the office for the King. But, with so much pressure on the Cleveland Cavaliers, the “other Cavs” as they have been dubbed, stepped up in a major way on Friday night.

Cleveland’s night seemed to take a turn for the worse early in the game. Kevin Love left the floor after just five minutes and did not return.

However, James took the matter into his own hands from the tip. But as it has been stated many times this postseason, Cleveland needs the role players to perform well.

In stepped George Hill.

The Cavaliers starting point guard’s performances this postseason has been equivalent to a roller coaster at Cedar Point.

Luckily last night Cleveland got a peak performance from Hill. There were not too many forced three’s, instead Hill forced the issue and got to the hoop.  Five of Hill’s seven shots came within the paint.

Overall, Hill scored 20 points, dished out three assists and recorded two steals.

With Love’s status currently up in the air, Hill may need to repeat performance on Sunday night. With Boston’s backcourt performing well, it is up to Cleveland’s backcourt to try and neutralize the young Celtics guards.

Another Cavalier that rose to the occasion was Jeff Green.

Like Hill, Green has performed at all sorts of different levels this postseason. Some games he has looked like a solid role player, other games he would be better off not even entering the game.

Green’s nine-point second quarter helped Cleveland turn a five-point first quarter deficit into a 11-point halftime lead.

What Green will need to do in Game 7 will be just what he did throughout Game 6, drive to the hoop and get to the foul line. When Green steps outside the arc, it can get a bit dicey. As long as he makes cuts and operates near the paint, he will be effective.

In Love’s absence, Larry Nance Jr stepped in, and once again provided the Cavaliers with a spark. Crashing the glass, mixing it up down low and even hitting a jump shot. Nance did a bit of everything.

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This is the Larry Nance Jr Cleveland had envisioned when they dealt for him back in February. Nance is not the ideal defender but is capable of guarding multiple positions if need be. His leaping ability makes him a manageable rim protector and has shown he is great when it comes to using the rule of verticality.

Nance will need to remain ready, as Love is unsure of his availability for Sunday’s game.

Other players such as J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver will need to come ready to play when the team takes the floor in Beantown.

Both players are veterans and have been in some high-pressure situations.  These two sharpshooters will need to knock down their fair share of shots to leave Game 7 with a win.

These young, upstart Boston Celtics are one tough team who thrives at home.

But as we saw tonight, LeBron James is not going to go down quietly. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris or the whole city of Boston will not be able to slow James down.

On the cusp of his eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals, James will be ready to roll. LeBron is 13-9 in elimination games, with a league-high 34.0 points per game in those 22 games.  In fact, LeBron thrives under this sort of pressure.

In the last seven elimination games LeBron was apart of, he has scored 40 points or recorded a triple-double.

Next: How the Cavs can offer a ‘King’s ransom’ for Kawhi Leonard

Come Game 7 James will be locked in, and if his running mates are up to the task, the NBA Finals will be coming back to ‘The Land’ for a fourth straight season.