James nets 44 in Cavs’ win
LeBron James scored 44 points — his sixth game of more than 40 in the playoffs this season — and the Cavaliers fought off the visiting Celtics 111- 102 to tie the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Boston, where the Celtics are 9- 0 this postseason.
James was 17- for- 28 from the field and 9- for- 13 from the freethrow line. In the process, he broke Hall of Famer Kareem
Abdul- Jabbar’s record of 2,356 career field goals in the playoffs.
‘‘ He’s the best in the game at evaluating the court and figuring out what he wants and where he wants it,’’ Celtics coach Brad
Stevens said of James. ‘‘ You just have to make it as hard as possible because he’s going to find a matchup he ultimately wants.’’
Kyle Korver added 14 points and Tristan Thompson 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who led by 16 points after the first quarter and responded every time the Celtics got close.
Jaylen Brown scored 25 points to lead all five starters in double figures for the Celtics. † Warriors forward Andre
Iguodala is listed as doubtful for Game 4 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday against the visiting Rockets because of a sore left knee. The Warriors lead the series 2- 1.
NFL NFL won’t discipline Patricia
The NFL said sexual- assault allegations against Lions coach
Matt Patricia in 1996 aren’t subject to its personal- conduct policy.
‘‘ The allegations occurred well before his affiliation with the NFL,’’ the league said.
Patricia has said he was falsely accused of allegations that resurfaced in a report by the Detroit News. He was indicted by a grand jury on one count of aggravated sexual assault, but the accuser didn’t testify and the case was dismissed.
† The Cardinals released cornerback Marcus Williams, whom they signed last month, after acquiring cornerback
Jamar Taylor in a trade last week with the Browns. † The Bills released guard
Richie Incognito from their reserved/ retired list, making him a free agent. The move came six weeks after Incognito announced he was retiring on Twitter.
JURISPRUDENCE Olympian sues USA Swimming
Olympic swimmer Ariana Kukors Smith sued USA Swimming, alleging it knew coach Sean Hutchinson sexually abused her as a minor, failed to protect her and covered it up. Smith, 28, said the abuse began when she was 16.
COLLEGES Kansas fires AD Zenger
Kansas fired athletic director Sheahon Zenger, who had been in the position since 2011.