What's the Explanation for Kyrie Irving's Struggles? ‘Defensively…'

In Game 1, Kyrie Irving scored 24 points on 10 for 22 shooting. He only recorded two assists and turned the ball over four times. He was -17.

In Game 2, he scored 19 points on 8 for 23 from the field. 

Tyronn Lue -- how would you assess Irving's performance thus far?

"Defensively, now he has to do a lot more," Lue explained to reporters. "Running around with Steph and chasing Klay and chasing Steph and constantly having to be on alert, it takes a lot out of you offensively."

Over Games 2 through 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, Irving averaged 29.5 points and 5.3 assists, while shooting over 66 percent from the field and just under 56 percent from deep.

In Game 4, Irving was spectacular with LeBron in foul trouble, racking up 21 of his game-high 42 points in the third quarter.

Despite a slow start in the Finals, Irving remains confident.

"They took care of home court. We understand that," Irving said. "Down 0-2, going back home, you have to live with those odds. You have to remain non-wavering. As I say, never waver in terms of whatever the outlook looks like.

"We understand who we are and we stay the course."

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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