BACKS TO THE LAKE
Celtics can close out Eastern finals against James, who has been in this spot before.
LeBron James, above, and the Cavaliers face a must- win Game 6 tonight against Boston in the Eastern Conference f inals.
CLEVELAND — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue was answering a question about the Boston Celtics’ defense on LeBron James during a teleconference when he tripped the security system at his home.
A piercing alarm sounded.
“Uh- oh,” Lue said Thursday as he punched in a code to silence the screaming siren.
Though Lue and his home were clearly safe, and the lighthearted moment passed quickly, it was also symbolic of Cleveland’s urgent situation.
The Cavaliers are in a dangerous spot.
Beaten for the third time in Boston in these homesweet- home Eastern Conference f inals, Cleveland will face its second elimination game of the postseason Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Game 6 is for everything. Except, of course, if there’s a Game 7 on Sunday in Boston
Fueled by Boston fans who must feel some sort of birthright to see their cherished team play in the Finals, the youthful Celtics again showed zero fear or hesitation on their f loor Wednesday night during a 96- 83 win in Game 5.
Despite shooting only 36%, the Celtics improved to 10- 0 at home in the playoffs as coach Brad Stevens changed his starting lineup, shortened his rotation to seven and released waves of defenders at James, who looked worn down as he tries to advance to the Finals for the eighth consecutive year.
Lue noticed early in Game 5 that James was dragging, but he’s confident the 33- year- old, who was chosen All- NBA f irst team for a record 12th time, will be ready to save his season and prolong what could be his final games with the Cavaliers.
“I know he’ll be ready to play Game 6, so fatigue won’t be a problem and an issue,” Lue said. “I’m pretty sure a lot of guys are tired during this stretch of the year. If I had to pick one guy and choose one guy to prevail, it would be LeBron. I know he’ll be great come tomorrow.”
James has been down 3- 2 in the conference f inals before. In 2012, he faced a Game 6 elimination in Boston and scored 45 points with 15 rebounds and five rebounds as Miami won.
Now he’s trying to keep this f lawed Cavaliers team alive long enough for another trip to Boston.
James will take the f loor with his future hanging in the air. His second stint with the Cavaliers could end this summer if he opts out of his $ 35.6- million contract for next season and leaves again as a free agent, a decision he can delay again with a win.
But before he picks home or Philadelphia or Los Angeles or anywhere else, he has at least one more game in Cleveland. Game 6.
“No question in my mind that he’ll bounce back,” Lue said.