LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to avoid falling in an 0-2 hole against the Indiana Pacers tonight, after having two full days to recover from their blowout loss in Game 1.
Speaking with reporters this morning, LeBron said that trying to get the right lineups in the regular season hindered the team's ability to properly prepare for the post-season, which resulted in a 98-80 loss on their home court in their first playoff game together.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, LeBron said,
"I think we spent so much time trying to figure out who we were in the regular season and getting the right lineups and guys in and out and things of that nature, we could never build for the playoffs. It was kind of like, build for the next game. So the postseason finally hit us and it hit us very well. And I think that can be the best teacher for us to know exactly what we should be ready for tonight."
Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue has hinted at even more lineup changes for Game 2 but most importantly he has encouraged LeBron to be more aggressive tonight. In the first game against Indiana, the 4x NBA MVP did not attempt a shot until there was 1:52 remaining in the first quarter, when the Cavs already trailed 25-8.
"He has to be aggressive and set the tone early," Lue said Monday, according to ESPN. "We talked about that today ... being aggressive early, setting the tone, especially for these new guys, bringing these guys along. He understood that, but once again, he's always a guy trying to get his teammates off early, get them guys going, then try to feel the game out. But be ready to set a tone."
Game 2, airing on TNT, will tipoff at 7:00pm ET tonight.