LeBron James admits to below-par performance in game one loss

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has taken the blame for his side's loss to the Chicago Bulls in game one of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Despite contributing 19 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, James was restricted to seven points in the second half and he committed six turnovers in the 99-92 defeat.

"I did have an off game," the four-time MVP told reporters. "If I have a great game my numbers will be a lot different. For me that's an off game just from the standpoint [that] I'm a very efficient player as far as my shooting and to be 9-of-22, that's unacceptable. What everybody else says, I don't really care what everybody else thinks."

The pressure is now on Cleveland to produce a response in game two on Wednesday night before travelling to Chicago for the next two games of the series.

"You can't go down 0-2 on your home floor going on the road," James added. "So it's going to be a tough challenge."

James has been on two teams that have come from behind to beat the Bulls in a playoff series.