Celtics hope to slow LeBron, Cavs in Game 5

BOSTON — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finals.

Two games and backto-back wins later, James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA Finals.

Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday (Thursday, Phl time). But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said all you can do against James is “make it as hard as you can.”

“LeBron is the best player of this generation and he's just maintained that because of his commitment to improvement,” Stevens said. “He's always been an unbelievable physical player. He's always been a savvy player. And he's always had, just like the natural instincts to make the right basketball play along with his tremendous skill set.”

While the Cavs are certainly feeling rejuvenated behind the play of James, coach Tyronn Lue said it hasn't changed their sense of urgency.

“We still gotta play,” Lue said. “We have veteran guys who have been there and know what it takes, but this is a young team, a good team that's playing at home so experience is not going to be a factor. We have to come in there and have the same mentality that we had in Game 3 and 4.”