Cavaliers Streak Ends as LeBron Sets Low

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The Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, but what was expected to be a strong start turned into a major upset. The Cavaliers lost 80-98 at home, snapping LeBron James’ incredible 21-game winning streak in first-round playoff games. It marked the first time since 2012 that LeBron has dropped a Game 1 in the opening round.

LeBron started and played 44 minutes, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, one steal, and one block—another triple-double for the veteran superstar. However, he struggled noticeably from outside the paint, missing all seven of his attempts from mid- and long-range. In the opening quarter, LeBron focused on facilitating for his teammates and didn’t attempt a shot until the late minutes of the period.

One key moment saw him drive into the paint for a bucket only to be denied twice by Indiana defenders. This set the tone for a game in which the Pacers’ defense consistently shut down LeBron’s efforts near the rim. Late in the first quarter, Pacers guard Lance Stephenson executed a highlight-reel play, driving past LeBron and delivering a powerful dunk that sent the Indiana bench into a frenzy—so forceful that Stephenson bumped his head on the rim afterward.

Despite the loss, LeBron added another milestone to his decorated career. His basket in the fourth quarter marked the 2,189th made field goal of his playoff career, surpassing Michael Jordan for second place all-time, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With his 11th assist of the night, LeBron also reached 1,500 playoff assists, putting him third in NBA history behind only John Stockton and Magic Johnson.

Fans affectionately call him “Old LeBron,” but his numbers say otherwise. This season he’s still averaging 27.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.42 steals per game—proving age is just a number.

However, the Cavaliers’ defense remains a glaring weakness. Ranked second to last in defensive efficiency across the league, the team continues to struggle on that end of the floor. No matter how dominant LeBron is, defense requires a full team effort. If the Cavaliers hope to advance, the rest of the squad must step up and support their leader.

Much like a high-pressure BD Cricket Match, where one superstar can shine but can’t carry the team alone, LeBron’s brilliance needs backup. In both basketball and a close BD Cricket Match, it’s teamwork that turns moments into victories—and Cleveland has plenty of work ahead.

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