LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James' 3-point shot has made him even tougher to handle.

(Michael Conroy, Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- During the Cleveland Cavaliers' Game 4 win against the Indiana Pacers, capping another first-round sweep, LeBron James iced the game at the free throw line by splitting a pair in the final seconds before pumping his fist in the air.

About one minute earlier, with the Cavaliers trailing by two points, James calmly stepped into a go-ahead 3-pointer.

"For me, being down 100-102, and I got the switch off on Myles Turner and they just had to show me something where I felt like I could get my shot off," James said. "Once I seen his hands drop, I knew I had the shot. It was just trust my mechanics, trust what I've been doing and it went down. It was definitely a big play for our team."

It's also a really bad sign for the rest of the Eastern Conference. In the span of about one minute, James' two imperfections -- his at-times inconsistent 3-point stroke and his shaky free throw shooting form -- in an otherwise sublime arsenal were placed under the playoff microscope.

With all the pressure on his shoulders, James overcame the issues and delivered, not even allowing for an ounce of doubt.

"If he's making the 3, he's unstoppable already, but if he's making the 3, it's virtually impossible," Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said recently. "If he's shooting the ball like that and shooting with confidence, we're a tough team to beat."

James, per usual, spearheaded the Cavs' sweep. He averaged 32.8 points on 54.3 percent from the field, including 45 percent from 3-point range to go with 9.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists 2.0 blocks and 3.0 steals. Many have gotten used to James' brilliance, his gaudy stat lines. After all, James registered 13 triple-doubles during the regular season and posted his 17th playoff triple-double during the Game 3 win.

But his deadeye 3-point shooting? That's uncommon. It's borderline unfair.

Given his speed, strength and ability to finish in the paint with either hand, opposing teams often try to back off a touch and take the driving lane away from James. It's a sound strategy, especially considering he's a career 34 percent shooter from beyond the arc. He shot 36 percent in the regular season after fading in the final two months

In postseason's past, coaches have built game plans around going under screens and inviting James to launch jumpers. It's better than the alternative.

Prior to the best-of-seven-series against Indiana, Pacers head coach Nate McMillan said the key for his team was not over-helping on James, which would allow open looks to the snipers that surround him. For Indiana, that often meant going one-on-one against James on the defensive end. When his outside shot isn't falling that becomes much easier.

The Pacers tried that strategy. But it backfired. In Game 3, James went 6-of-12 from 3-point range and a couple bombs sucked the life out of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"You've got take what the defense gives you and what the game calls for," Lue said, recalling Game 3. "At that point in the game we were down 25, it calls for him to make some big shots, some big 3s. He was able to step up and make 'em."

The six made 3's matched his season high, accomplishing that feat two other times during the regular season. James said he wasn't hunting that shot, but sometimes he needs to make a few to soften the defense.

In the series finale James made just one triple, but it was the deciding shot. He got the switch he wanted, rocked back and forth with his dribble and it became obvious that he was eyeing the 3-pointer, a chance to put the Cavaliers back in front.

"At the end of the game he's been making them," Lue said. "When we need that run or we need that big shot, he's been stepping up and making them. That's what he gets paid to do. That's why he's the best player in the world and he does it all the time. That's what he does."

There used to be a way to defend James. But there's no answer when he's hitting the 3-pointer consistently. James went 9-of-20 (45 percent) in Round One.

Earlier this season, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey, who could be the next coach to attempt to devise a successful postseason plan against James, said they were banking on James missing outside. Many coaches hope for that. It's been James' kryptonite in the past.

But if the 3's keep falling, Casey may have to try something different. And the second round could be end just as quickly as the first.