LeBron James admits extra rest is a 'lifeline' for Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Updated: 14/06/15 12:01pm
LeBron James admitted Saturday’s extra day of rest in the NBA finals was a “lifeline” for the Cleveland Cavaliers after losing game four to the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavaliers and Warriors are level at 2-2 in the best-of-seven championship series with game five Sunday at Oakland, where Cleveland won game two to inflict only Golden State's fourth home loss all season.
Injuries to key players such as Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving have impacted Cleveland’s depth and coach David Blatt has only used a couple of reserves for significant minutes in the series.
The Cavaliers' starters have played a combined 60 minutes more than those of Golden State, each of them between six and 14 minutes more per game on average than during the regular season.
James has been forced to assume a greater role in the absence of Irving and Love, serving as primary scorer and set-up man for others while contributing with rebounds and defence and taking almost no rest.
The 30-year-old was up to the task in the first three games as he averaged 41 points a game but struggled in game four after sustaining a cut to the right side of his head that required stitches and the extra day of rest could not have come at a better time for the ‘King’.
"Any little rest you can get throughout the post-season run, it's like a lifeline," James admitted.
"For us to be able to get this extra day to mentally and physically prepare for tomorrow is definitely helpful."
Cleveland's home finals games have had only one off day from the prior game, as will be true with game six there Tuesday, so Blatt will take the extra rest on the road.
"It certainly helps," Blatt said. “This time of year you don't over-practice.
“You spend a lot of time in recovery mode, treatment, rehabilitation and a lot of rest, working as much on the mind as you do on the body, hoping you can come out and be focused and be responsible.
"We need LeBron's production and we need him to play at the highest level. He's carrying a heavy load on his shoulders, and he's carrying it brilliantly.
“Hopefully he'll come to tomorrow's game a little bit more rested, like the rest of the guys, and physically feel good to attack the game the way he has been attacking."
Game five figures to be a pivotal game in the series. The NBA finals have been tied at 2-2 after four games on 28 occasions and the winner of game five has gone on to win 20 of those series.
Golden State inserted Andre Iguodala into the starting line-up for game four and the smaller squad produced a faster pace and the Warriors' strongest start on the way to a victory Thursday.
The Cavaliers must come up with a plan to counter that line-up and force the slower tempo that worked for them earlier in the series and James is confident they can do so.
"I think we'll be much more prepared for it if they go with the same line-up," James said.
"If we're not in tune with what's going on or not ready for the speed, we'll be able to make the (substitution) and make the proper adjustments."
