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LeBron James says layoff won't affect Cavaliers

 

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was ready for basketball and was in no mood to discuss much about Monday’s Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

 

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was ready for basketball and was in no mood to discuss much about Monday’s Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

He talked in short sentences and answered five questions.

“Obviously we’ve been off for quite a while but we’re hungry for a game and we’re happy that we’re able to have it on our home floor,” James said.

The Cavs haven’t played since finishing off the Pistons in Game 4 on April 24, and James wants to keep the Cavs focused. Last season, Cleveland swept the Boston Celtics in the first round, had seven full days off and lost to the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of the conference semis at home.

“Last year was last year’s situation,” James said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with this year. We look forward to the matchup tonight.”

 

Rust vs. rest can work the other way, too. The Spurs didn’t show an ill-effects of time off. After sweeping Memphis, they crushed the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-92 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals series.

“Hopefully maybe we’re in that sweet spot where you have a day or two without a game, a day or two to prepare but then you’re back out playing,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer But I’ve seen it work both ways. Sometimes having that extra time can be good for a team.

Just he did in the first round regarding comments made by Detroit’s Stanley Johnson, James refused to engage in comments made by Hawks forward-guard Kent Bazemore, who relishes a matchup against James.

James used his common refrain.

“The only thing that matters to me is Cavs vs. Hawks, not about anybody individually,” James said. “This is a team game and that’s all that matters.”

 

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