Ty Lue calls out Cavaliers role players after close Game 2 win

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 18: Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks to the media after game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Cavaliers doubled down to even their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers but Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue wants more from his role players to take the burden off of LeBron James.

Playoff time is when LeBron James puts on his best performances to elevate his team’s play. James churned out a 46-point, 12-rebound, 5-assist effort to propel the Cavaliers to a 100-97 win Wednesday night (April 18.) While James was spectacular, the rest of the Cavaliers, were decidedly not. Kevin Love chipped in 15 points as the second-leading scorer for the Cavs, but the third leading scorer was Kyle Korver with 12 points. All 12 of Korver’s points came on 3-pointers. Love, who was playing with a thumb injury, was just 5-of-16 from the field.

When asked about the benching of Rodney Hood to shake up the lineup, Lue stated that everyone not named LeBron James needs to step up, according to ESPN.

"“I need to see more out of a lot of guys,” Lue said in his postgame news conference.The remark came in response to a question about Cavs guard Rodney Hood’s contribution. Hood scored nine points in Game 1, but five of those didn’t come until the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 98-80 loss, with the game already out of reach. Lue brought Game 1 starters Hood and Jeff Green off the bench in Game 2, turning to JR Smith and Kyle Korver in their place as they joined James, Kevin Love and George Hill in the starting lineup."

Next: Mitchell answers the call in Game 2

LeBron James and Kevin Love are the stars of the team, but James is looking at his toughest test yet. Lue is aware that James isn’t getting any younger, and realizes that he needs the rest of the team to step up in order for the Cavaliers to advance. Game 3 will be Friday (April 20.)

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