The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled during the middle of each of LeBron James' four seasons back with the franchise.

But James feels like this season has been even more difficult than past ones.

"This is a difficult year for our team," James said. "Seems like I say that every year, but this one has been even more challenging. But with everybody who has been out and coming back in and the rotations and things of that nature, it's been very challenging on our team. But we have to figure it out."

James has not been encouraged by Cleveland's past two games.

"You don't win championships ... losing a game is not encouraging at all," James said. "I liked the way we played in the first half, I liked the way we competed, but you get encouraged when you come out here and work when there ain't nobody watching. I'm more encouraged on what we did today than I am in the game the other day."