LeBron James played a game for the ages last night in extending the Cavs season another game. Though it was a win that was absolutely needed, it was not the sort of performance they needed. Once again the Cavaliers supporting cast did not do enough. Staring at 2008-2009 oblivion, their performance continued a trend for this series, the one that has them down one with two games to go.
There is no quibbling with the results, without the performance, the season is over. Certainly James has the talent to pull it out two more times and get the Cavs to the NBA Finals. But what are the chances? He has placed this team on his broad shoulders and willed two wins thus far. He has done it with nary the contributions from his teammates Cleveland had come to expect during the drive to the best record in the league.
At first glance, the game last night would seem to contradict that last sentence. Mo Williams and Delonte West came out with guns blazing. The first quarter saw the Cavs blow the game open with the starting backcourt aggressively dictating the flow of the game, pushing the lead to 22 at one point. Then they took their foot off of the accelerator and watched that lead shrink to an eventual deficit. It is inconsistent play at a time when consistency is the minimal requirement to advance in the playoffs.
Who is consistent is James. His greatness extended this series. But this formula has the Cavs down when they were favored to win. If the trend is followed, the chances of the Cavs defying the odds and winning the series are not great. It would not be a surprise if James is able to do it, but the odds are still stacked against it.
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