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Cleveland Cavaliers: Eastern Conference Finals Preview

By Joshua Howe

Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll (5) defends during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

How Cleveland Can Win

AM:

The easy answer here is LeBron. Particularly with Kevin Love out and Kyrie Irving hobbled. It just doesn’t seem sustainable at this level though, to ask one guy to single-handedly beat a team as good as these Hawks, it just seems a bridge too far even when we’re talking about the greatest player on the planet.

That’s why if the Cavaliers are to win, they’re going to need some of their other guys to show some life, and really meaningfully contribute.

I’d expect Mozgov and Thompson to really have their work cut out for them in their matchups with Horford and Millsap, so Cleveland are going to have to look to guys like Smith and Shumpert for colossal games.

Irving will play, and obviously has all the potential to be a game-winner, but the Cavaliers will need to tread very carefully if they’ve even the slightest doubts over his health. If Cleveland was to lose Irving, it’d seem like there would be no real way back.

JH:

Simple answer: LeBron.

It’s never, of course, that simple, but LeBron is truly the best bet the Cavs have in this series. He’s already had to put the team on his back a couple times to win games due to all the injuries accumulated on the squad, and he’ll most definitely have to do it again.

James will need to be great this series. The Hawks will throw whatever they can at him, but he just has to find a way to get past whatever it is or risk losing everything. With a weakened team, he can’t afford to be passive like he’s been in some previous games.

Cleveland needs the “I’m Not Losing Tonight” LeBron for the rest of the playoffs. Because from here on out, the injuries aren’t going away and the opponents are only going to be tougher. This is somewhat like James’ playoffs from last season, where he dragged the Heat to The Finals against the Spurs.

LeBron has won 16 straight playoff series in the Eastern Conference. I’m not betting against this man to miss his fifth straight Finals appearance. He’s LeBron James.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

Next: How the Hawks Can Win

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