Losing game 1 of the NBA Playoff series is nothing new to LeBron James, but given the extreme tangibles of the 2021 NBA season, can the LA Lakers all-star pull them out of a 1-0 deficit versus the Phoenix Suns?
Owning an injury-ridden LeBron James during the 2021 NBA season has undoubtedly been a burden for the Los Angeles Lakers, but his full-time returns to the courts landed at the perfect time, ready for this season's playoffs. This past Sunday, LeBron started his 50th career playoff series in an attempt to reach the NBA Finals for the 10th time during his tenure as a pro basketball player, with a 5th championship ring insight. The matchup saw LeBron's #7 seeded LA Lakers fall victim to the #2 seed Phoenix Suns (99-90), although this trend is nothing new as this became the 21st time LeBron's team had suffered defeat during game 1 of the playoff series.
LeBron is now 29-21 in game 1 playoff series, and it is almost as if the future Hall of Famer thrives on the pressure with such a poor game 1 record. During the previous 20 series of his squad losing game 1, LeBron is 12-8 in the series. Two of those victories happened during last year's Orlando bubble once the Lakers went down to the Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets in both game ones, before eventually winning four consecutive games to close out said series, respectively. So, how do these outcomes affect game 2?
LeBron has a 12-8 record in-game twos after losing game 1; however, taking a deeper dive into the numbers does provide positivity for Lakers fans. Four of those game 1 losses came up against the Warriors, who failed to make the playoffs. In addition, three of LeBron's twenty-one game 1 defeats took place in the first round. In both the series prior, LeBron and his team took the win, and this is how those games played out:
LeBron James versus the Indiana Pacers (2018, NBA Playoffs Round 1) (LeBron wins 4-3)
LeBron in Games 2-7: 36.2 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 57.1% FG and 40 3-point percentage.
LeBron James versus the Portland Trail Blazers (2020 NBA Playoffs Round 1) (LeBron wins 4-1)
LeBron in Games 2-5: 28.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 65 FG%, and 52.2 3-point percentage.
The Lakers/Suns series odds at YouWager Review have now shifted in favour of Phoenix. Before game 1 the Suns were +140 to win the series, and those odds have naturally moved to a tighter line of -103. With that said, doubting LeBron after game 1 has not been the smart move for bettors in the past; critics and fans alike still believe that the Lakers are most likely to make a comeback, meaning the value on Los Angeles is now there for the taking.
We must remind ourselves that LeBron James is still the most prominent force the NBA has witnessed across the past decade and beyond. LeBron is the NBA's most feared adversary; his presence on game day is an anxiety trigger for the opposition alone. LeBron and his team have bounced back on two occasions following a game 1 loss in the first round of the playoffs, including the Blazers series in last year's bubble. Practise for the Lakers has obviously dried up compared to previous years, and the rotation of star players has evidently taken its toll. Still, once we refer to the historical figures, they certainly favour LeBron James and the LA Lakers in winning their first series of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
LeBron has made the sacrifices required, and he made this known when taking to social media:
"I apologise if I don't call or text my family and friends often. It is not personal. Life is moving fast, and I have opportunities and personal goals that most will only see in their dreams at night. This marathon that I'm running is different from any race anyone in my family has ever seen. I hope you understand. Pray for me and my enemies too! #GotAngelsWatchingMeFromAllAngles.”
Sure, LeBron might be facing the most challenging period of his career, but the elite level of ball he plays is undeniably, unmatched by anybody else in the league today.
