For the first time since 2008, a LeBron James-led team has lost two games in the first round. And James largely has Bojan Bogdanovic to thank for that inauspicious stat. Bogdanovic scored an eye-popping 30 points Friday, as the Pacers took a 2–1 lead on the Cavaliers in their quarterfinal series with a 92–90 win. James scored 28, including a barrage of clutch threes down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Indy’s balanced attack.
Friday night’s game was an example of the beauty of the playoffs. The Cavaliers adjusted their defensive strategy to prevent Victor Oladipo from taking over the game, but the Pacers adjusted on the fly to hold home court.