LeBron James Says Cavaliers Have 'Good Chance' to Win 2017 NBA Championship

Despite his team's struggles prior to the playoffs, LeBron James still believes the Cleveland Cavaliers can repeat as NBA champions. 

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James addressed Cleveland's playoff hopes after the team's practice on Thursday:

"

We have a good chance to win it all. But it starts with baby steps first and we understand that. It starts with our opponent in two days. We have to be very determined, but we also have to be very smart about our game plan and how we execute that game plan, execute that [for as close to] 48 minutes as possible starting with Game 1.

"

After spending most of the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland went 10-14 in its last 24 contests to finish two games behind the Boston Celtics. 

The Cavaliers' 51-31 record represents the fewest wins in an 82-game season by a James-led team since 2007-08. 

Defense has been Cleveland's Achilles' heel, as it finished 20th in points allowed and 21st in defensive efficiency, per Basketball Reference. 

The Cavs will open the playoffs Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. They have gone 24-4 against Eastern Conference teams in the postseason over the past two seasons. 

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