NBA Playoffs 2015: Aggressive LeBron James Helps Cavaliers Tie Series 1-1

LeBron James is a man of his word.

The Cleveland Cavalier forward stated that his mindset would be different in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Chicago Bulls. The forward added that coming back after dropping two games at home would be difficult and so he did everything he could to tie the series.

James, 30, came out aggressively - with his "retired" headband in place - and outplayed the Bulls defense. He took 29 shots and finished with 33 points in the 106-91 victory. James also recorded eight rebounds and five assists.

"For me, I had to change my approach tonight knowing how shorthanded we are and be ultra-aggressive," James said. "Kyrie (Irving) wanted me to be ultra-aggressive, which I'm not accustomed to doing, especially taking that many shots. I've never been a high-volume shooter. But I have to respond to my teammates. What my teammates want me to do, I try to succeed at doing it. This is a change of mindset for myself, and I have to do it if that's what my guys want me to do."

Irving, who finished with 21 points, said. "There wasn't one possession where you could look on the floor and he wasn't dominant. He was all over, which we expect him to do. When he has that killer mindset and not really caring what's going on except for his teammates, he's the greatest player in the game right now."

In the first quarter, James scored 14 points and helped the Cavaliers get the huge 38-18 lead. After that strong start, the Cavaliers dominated the court and the Bulls were not able to slow down the Cavaliers offense.

Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau stated, "They smashed us."

This was the second game that the Cavs played without starter Kevin Love, who is out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. The Cavs also played without J.R. Smith who was serving the final day of his two-game suspension. He will return in Game 3.

The Bulls will host Game 3 on Friday, May 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.