LeBron James Concerned About Cavaliers’ Struggles Against Heat

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Ever since LeBron James made the decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the four-time NBA MVP hasn’t been able to get the best of his former team. The Miami Heat are a perfect 4-0 against the Cavaliers since LeBron returned to Cleveland, and the superstar is concerned if these two teams meet in the NBA playoffs this year.

After getting beat by the Heat for an 11th straight time in Miami, LeBron talked about the team’s struggles against his former team. James believes Cleveland could have their work cut out for them in the playoffs if they play each other in the second round of the postseason via Brian Windhorst of ESPN:

“The way they’ve beat us here is a little concerning if we face them [in the playoffs],” James said after Saturday’s loss. “I think we’ll be ready for it more. We didn’t play [up to our] potential. We didn’t play our game. We let them play their game, and they took it to us.”

Despite being at the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 49-20, the Cavaliers’ path to the NBA Finals is anything but easy this time around. The Toronto Raptors are currently only a game and a half back of the Cavaliers for the top seed in the conference while the Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Boston Celtics have all proven to be forces to be reckoned with this year.

At this point, the Cavaliers are still the favorites to come out of the East with 1/3 odds, according to Sportsbook.ag. The Raptors (6/1), Heat (12/1), Celtics (15/1) and Hawks (15/1) are all threats to dethrone Cleveland this season with LeBron and company looking beatable.

The defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors (4/5) remain the favorites to win it all followed by the San Antonio Spurs (14/5) and Cavaliers (7/2).