“I can put the ball in the hoop but I’m a playmaker and a player”. LeBron James and company were unbeaten through 10 games before losing to the Celtics on a last-second 3-pointer in Sunday’s Game 3. But he said both he and his teammates continue to be inspired by their leader.
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So let us count the ways, beginning with King James.
“This team is a insane team”. “But, for Kyrie (Irving) and K-Love and Tristan (Thompson) and those guys just to keep their composure and just keep playing, I thought it was good for us. So we got back together”. “As of tonight, I’ll get started”. Still, Boston covered the spread for the second straight game. The luxury of playing at home puts the Celtics back in their element. His outlet passes have been simply tremendous (even if LeBron missed a dunk on one of them last game) and he certainly seems locked in and ready for the Finals.
More germane to the present, the Cavs officially rebounded from their out-of-character Game 3 loss and their shaky first half in Game 4 with a game of vicious execution and momentum. The point guard scored 12 of the Cavs’ last 14 points in the first half and then poured in a franchise playoff-record 21 in the third period, including an wonderful 19 in the final 4:48.
And then handing the ball to Kyrie Irving, getting out of the way, and watching him take the team to the doorstep of the National Basketball Association Finals.
Irving scored 36 points after that, including 21 during a game-turning third quarter in which Cleveland outscored Boston 40-23. He showed no signs of lingering issues, though, beating several defenders off the dribble and handing out seven assists. Look for a Kyle Korver sighting, as he is due to get hot.
Kevin Love added 17 points and a career play-off-high 17 rebounds for Cleveland.
Cavaliers: James has scored 30 or more points in 11 of Cleveland’s 13 games this postseason. Cleveland improved to 35-5 against Eastern teams in the playoffs since 2015. Despite an ankle tweak, he went on to score 42 points and dish out four assists. He has not shrunk back from the moment and at times has been the most aggressive and fearless person on the floor.
The visiting Celtics turned in another determined effort, defending stoutly and executing expertly on offense to shoot to an early lead, while forcing LeBron James to the bench in early foul trouble. Isaiah Thomas may be out for the rest of the postseason but that just means that the everyone on that team needs to step up.
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With their surprising win in the third game of the series, Boston cut Cleveland’s lead to 2-1.
