Irving rallies Cavs, gives them 3-1 lead in series
CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving took over in the second half and finished with 42 points, LeBron James added 34 and the Cavaliers moved within one win of a third date in the Finals with the Warriors by rallying to beat the Celtics 112-99 on Tuesday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Irving stayed on the floor despite rolling his left ankle in the third quarter, when he scored 19 points in less than five minutes, and James shook off early foul trouble as the Cavalierss opened a 3-1 lead in the series.
The defending NBA champions can wrap up their third straight conference title — and a “three-match” against the Warriors — with a win in Game 5 on Thursday night in Boston.
But if Games 3 and 4 were any indication, it won't be easy.
Fighting to keep their season alive, the Celtics aren't giving an inch despite playing without All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas, who may need surgery on a hip injury.
The Cavalierss, meanwhile, wouldn't be on the cusp of the Finals without Irving.
In jeopardy of dropping its second game in a row after James followed an 11-point Game 3 by picking up four first-half fouls, the Cavaliers turned to Irving, who put on a breathtaking one-man show in the third quarter.
Freezing defenders with his dribble and driving to the basket whenever he wanted, Irving made six layups, two 3-pointers and a free throw in a dizzying span of 4 minutes, 48 seconds. He capped his blistering 19-point outburst with a 3 in the final second of the quarter.
When the horn sounded, Cavaliers players poured off the bench to greet him. They had to be careful not to knock him off his feet after Irving had put a scare through the frenzied Quicken Loans Arena crowd moments earlier when he stepped on the foot of the Celtics’ Terry Rozier.
Kevin Love added 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Cavs, now 11-1 in the postseason.
Avery Bradley scored 19 for Crowder added 18. the Celtics and Jae