Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 6 vs. Pacers

1. LeBron James looks exhausted

This upcoming Game 7 makes for an interesting storyline that is LeBron James’ career. This marks the first Game 7 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs for James. In his career, he is 4-2 in the postseason in Game 7s.

In 15 seasons, LeBron James has never had to play a first round Game 7 until now and the odds are against him if you ask me. James looked exhausted by the end of things in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

He was 7-for-16 (43.8 percent) from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the arc in a decisive closeout game, which was surprising considering what was at stake.

James wasn’t his usual aggressive self, getting to the free throw line just five times in the game. He hadn’t attempted less than six free throws all series prior to Friday night. While Indiana played its best basketball, James played his worst.

He finished with an offensive rating of 92.1, a defensive rating of 130.0 with a net rating of -37.9. It is the second negative net rating he’s produced this series; the other came in Game 1 when Cleveland lost 98-80.

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Call it foreshadowing, but LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the ropes come Sunday, even with home-court advantage. The Pacers will need to deliver a knockout blow or they could get sent home packing, and the Cavs will need to give a tired LeBron some actual help.