With a 105-101 win at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Indiana Pacers in game seven of their gruelling back-and-forth series to advance to the second round.

Both teams gave each other their best shot and the two best players - LeBron James and Victor Oladipo - went toe to toe almost every game.

That's not something you would've expected to hear at the start of the season but it shows just how far Oladipo has come this year.

After enjoying a breakout campaign, the shooting guard went on to enjoy an impressive first-round series against the Cavs and wasn't afraid to match up against the best player on the planet.

In the end, he and the Pacers just had no way of stopping the King as he poured in 45 points in the decider on Sunday.

Oladipo tipped his hat to LeBron and praised him for being the difference maker. He's also grateful to have seen what it takes to be the best.

“It’s amazing. He did what he always does. It's not really shocking," he said in his post-game press conference.

"He’s the best in the world, that’s what the best does. Now, I’ve got to work so I can get on that level.”

The 25-year-old is driven to become a better player and he was not prepared to waste any time in getting back to work despite coming off a hard-fought series.

Oladipo sent a message to his personal trainer David Alexander less than 20 minutes after their loss in Cleveland to ask when they can begin working again.

"I'm ready to take it to the next level," Oladipo told him.

Alexander posted a screenshot of the message on his Instagram page shortly after.

The former number two overall pick says he's not looking to take any time off and will use the offseason to improve his game and work on his body.

"I don't know how to take time off. I had someone tell me, 'Take a break and enjoy my life.' This is my life," Oladipo said, per ESPN. "I feel like I've got a lot of room to improve. This summer I'm going to go to work so I can come back even better."

In the regular season, he enjoyed career numbers across the board with 23.1 points, 4.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds and a league-leading 2.4 steals per game.

Against the Cavaliers in the playoffs, he averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals and six assists per game.

If he gets better than this, the Pacers should be excited for what's to come from him next season.

Listen HERE to the first episode of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring former Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin.

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