When the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Toronto Raptors in their regular-season finale, they will do so without LeBron James.
From Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon:
LeBron James’ regular season is over, and the Cavs can’t wait to say the same.
A team source said James would not play in Cleveland’s finale Wednesday at home against the Toronto Raptors, but Kyrie Irving may see action.
This isn’t groundbreaking stuff, even with the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed up for grabs. LeBron didn’t play in the Cavaliers’ loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night. He is eighth in total minutes played and first in minutes per game. The dude has earned some rest.
Besides, the Cavaliers need the Celtics to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks to get the No. 1 seed as well. There’s no guarantee that happens, even with the Bucks playing for something themselves. If it was a matter of just needing to win, then maybe he plays.
Or maybe he doesn’t.
The Cavaliers have to be feeling good about their chances after destroying the Celtics last week. They still won’t have to play a Game 7 on the road until the Eastern Conference Finals, and that’s assuming said series even goes that far.
These same Cavaliers, remember, won a Game 7 on the road, against the Golden State Warriors, in the NBA Finals. They’re not about to get caught up in the seeding process of an Eastern Conference they still own.
