Sunday was another memorable day in a career full of them for LeBron James. Especially when it comes to Game 7’s.
He led the Cavaliers to a 105-101 victory over the Pacers in Game 7 of their first round series, with 45 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Your average online sportsbook had the Cavs as a favorite, even though the Pacers were more the fan favorite and many analysts pick to win. But there is just something about Lebron James and Game 7’s that prevented the betting community from giving odds against him.
It was the second most points by a player in a Game 7 in NBA history.
LeBron James' 45 points is the 2nd-most in a Game 7 win in playoff history.
2005 was the last time a team LeBron played for didn't make the Conference Semifinals pic.twitter.com/emshkW1iaT
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2018
The fact that the Cavaliers survived their series with the Pacers, is a true testament to LeBron’s greatness. It was the first time in his career that he has ever won a playoff series where no other player on his team scored 20 points in a single-game, oh and for more proof of James’s greatness feast on this stat.
LeBron also had four steals in Game 7 and is now the steals leader in NBA Playoff history, passing Scottie Pippen.
Congrats to @KingJames of the @cavs for becoming the #NBAPlayoffs STEALS leader! #WhateverItTakes #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/Orr3RoSEQa
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2018
Here is where he now ranks in playoffs history for all five major stat categories…
LeBron career playoff rankings, NBA History:
Points: 1st
Steals: 1st
Assists: 3rd
Rebounds: 7th
Blocks: 20th— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 29, 2018
His next test will be even tougher as the Cavaliers take on the top-seeded, 59-win Toronto Raptors in round two.
It will be the first time the Cavaliers have been an underdog in an eastern conference playoffs series since his return to Cleveland in 2014.
