LeBron James said he would have a different mindset going into Game 2 against the Chicago Bulls.
If you weren’t buying it, James essentially said, “Don’t believe me, just watch” as his 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists helped the Cavaliers crush the Bulls, 106-91, to even the Eastern Conference semifinals at one game apiece Wednesday at The Q.
The Cavaliers were moving in high gear from the onset. Coach David Blatt wanted to make sure his team got off to a fast start so he started the five best players he had available. Inserting Tristan Thompson into the lineup ignited a spark and allowed James to play in his natural position and role.
Cleveland scored a whopping 38 points in the first quarter and led by as many as 22 points in the period.
James resurrected his headband for the first time since March 7 against Phoenix. Criticized for a lack of aggressiveness in Game 1, he brought back his secret weapon and all of his brilliant skills for a signature performance.
James attacked the paint fiercely, constantly and efficiently. In the second quarter he sized up Jimmy Butler on the wing and took off, soaring to the basket for a posterized one-handed dunk all over the eventual NBA Most Improved Player recipient.
On Tuesday James talked about how he wasn’t looking for his shot in the first meeting. Wednesday he shot 18 times in the first half and finished 13-of-29 for the game. He only shot two threes, a sign he was in attack mode.
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