After the game, in an exclusive interview with Brian Windhorst of the The Plain Dealer, Cleveland owner Gilbert expressed some frustration at the effort level of his team that he's spending more than $100 million in payroll this season.

"Our entire franchise has done everything in its power to put all of our players and its coaching staff in the best possible position to execute when it counts," Gilbert said. "And to deliver to the highly supportive fans of Cleveland a proud, intense, impassioned all-out drive to achieve a championship.

"The last two home playoff losses and the manner in which we lost these games does not come close to being anywhere near the high expectations all of us have of our organization. Our fans and supporters deserve more."