CLEVELAND -- Desperately needing a win to avoid falling to on an 0-2 hole where very few NBA teams have dug themselves out of, LeBron James summoned an accessory he hasn't worn since March 7 -- his patented head band.
LeBron's old familiar look led to another vintage performance as the four-time MVP led the more aggressive and "win-hungry Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-91 drubbing of the Chicago Bulls and tying their Eastern Conference semifinals at one game apiece.
Before a sold-out crowd of 20,562 at the Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday night, James, wearing his "winning face," exploded for 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The King played for 34 minutes and 13 seconds, a slight drop from the 41 minutes and 56 seconds that he logged in Game 1 where he was just the third leading scorer for the Cavs behind Kyrie Irving's 30 and Iman Shumpert's 22.
LeBron's first quarter points in Game 1 totaled 14, 10 more than his Game 1 output in the opening 12 minutes. He shot 13 of 29 from the field this time while Irving finished with 21 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
Game3 of the best-of-7 affair shifts to the United Center in Chicago where the Bulls look to defend home court advantage and seize a 2-1 series lead.
Will the head band make another appearance?
"Game time decision," an amused James told TNT Sports' Rachel Nichols.
Stay tuned.
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