9. Success Away from Home
The Cavs would have opened at home had the Thunder not squandered a 48-42 halftime lead in falling to the Warriors. But coming away with a split of the first two games in Oakland, as they did a year ago, is well within their reach. That’s because James has won a road playoff game in 25 consecutive series, with the Game 6 victory at Toronto moving him past Michael Jordan into first place all-time in that category.
The two championships James won with the Heat both came on their home floor. While the symmetry of him ending Cleveland’s 52-year streak in a Game 6 at the Q would be perfect, going into enemy territory to claim a third ring would be just fine with him.
Next: History Favors the Cavs
