“LeBron is missing some shots he could make and we understand that,” Rivers said. “We understand … that he is going to get shots and it’s the defense that we are going to want to play and he’s going to make those shots. What we can’t do is overreact to that. We have to just stay solid and trust even if he gets it going. This is what we want to do, this is what we want to try at least to force him to play in.”

He hasn’t touched off a moment’s frustration yet. Except in himself.

What can change in Cleveland? Well, the Celtics were schizophrenic defensively in their seven-game opening-round odyssey against the Hawks. The Hawks' best offensive player, Joe Johnson, went 11 for 32 with seven turnovers in the first two games in Boston. Back in Atlanta, he went 21 for 42 and averaged 29 points over the next two games.

But Johnson’s a shooter first, a creator second. James needs to get to the hoop to create the rest of his offense. And Garnett isn’t going to get any less long or quick between now and the weekend.

“He hasn’t been able to finish but he just needs to keep attacking the rim,” said James’ Cavaliers teammate Joe Smith. “He needs to see the ball go through the hoop. What it boils down to is we need to make shots and put pressure on their defense.”

After the game in the Cavs locker room, a TV was tuned to the Western Conference game between the Hornets and Spurs. James, sitting alongside guard Daniel Gibson, perked up and asked someone to turn the TV his way. There was LeBron, starring in a Vitamin Water commercial.

As the ad ended, James laughed and cracked, “I made more shots in that commercial than I did in the game.”

If King James keeps going the way he did in the first two games of this series, he’ll be watching plenty of playoff basketball from a seated position.

MORE FROM NBA

NBA Section Front

Shaq back at practice   Warriors coach Don Nelson sick with pneumonia Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is the league’s MVP Winderman: With strong class, point guard is back   Vote: Will Nets set mark for worst start to season? Fan ranker: Who will be MVP of the NBA? Live odds Matchups/injuries Latest NBA videos Latest player news, rumors and more NBA Section Front   Add NBA headlines to your news reader: