4. Don’t look for LeBron to beat a path to the line — not just yet.
James has averaged just 6.5 free-throw attempts in 76 games, the fewest since his rookie season of 2003-04. Conventional wisdom suggests that number should go up in the playoffs, when the Cavs and almost every team other than the Golden State Warriors are apt to run more half-court offense. But he took a total of only 17 free throws in the first three games against the Celtics while playing more than 41 minutes in each of those contests.
The Cavs were only 8-4 this season in games where James went to the line at least 10 times, although three of those losses were in the opening month. If he turns into the player who went 14-of-18 in the Game 2 victory over the Warriors in the finals, great. If he spends most or all of the fourth quarter on the bench because the Cavs are so far ahead, that’s even better.
Next: Somebody unexpected will make a difference.
