AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – When LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers swept Boston in the first round of last year’s playoffs, their championship hopes had already taken a major hit because of an injury to Kevin Love.
Not so this season. The Cavs took four straight games from Detroit – and look no worse for wear after doing it.
“We’re not satisfied with what we’ve done, but we are happy where we are today,” James said. “Being able to leave out of this series, knowing that we’ve got 15 guys ready to go.”
James didn’t even have to lead Cleveland in scoring in the series against Detroit. That honor went to Kyrie Irving, whose 31 points in the finale Sunday night lifted the Cavs to a 100-98 win over the Pistons. Cleveland will face either Atlanta or Boston in the next round.
The Cavaliers closed out another series quickly. Cleveland has taken a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series on six different occasions, and the Cavs have finished off the sweep each time.