James, Irving team up to fend off Celtics

The Celtics wouldn’t go away, and then LeBron James showed them the door.

James scored 30 points — 15 in the fourth quarter — and Kyrie Irving added 26 as the Cleveland Cavaliers finally shook off Boston in the fourth quarter for 9991 victory Tuesday night to take a 2- 0 lead in their opening- round series. James moved past Hall of Famer Jerry West on the career playoff scoring list and made sure the Cavs didn’t slip up at home. He took over the game down the stretch, and he and Irving combined for all of Cleveland’s 24 points in the final period and the Cavs’ final 28 over the last 17: 29.

“I’ve been in this moment before, and a lot of our guys haven’t,” James said. “I thought it was important for me to put a stamp on this game.”

Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points for the Celtics.

Rockets 111, Mavericks 99: Dwight Howard scored 28 points, and James Harden added 24 as Houston took a 2- 0 lead in the Western Conference playoff series. Josh Smith connected withHoward on six alleyoop passes and finished with 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Wizards 117, Raptors 106: John Wall had 26 points and 17 assists, and Bradley Beal scored 28 points to help Washington take a 2- 0 lead in the first- round Eastern Conference playoff series. The Wizards host Game 3 on Friday night.

Bulls: Forward Nikola Mirotic’s status for Thursday’s Game 3 against Milwaukeeis indoubtbecause of a leg injury suffered in a scramble for a loose ball with the Bucks’ Zaza Pachulia on Monday.

Hawks: Center Al Horford says he’s definitely playing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets onWednesday. Horford dislocated his right pinky finger in the series opener.

Nets: Forward Mirza Teletovic is probable for Game 2 against the Hawks after missing nearly three months because of blood clots, the team announced.

Suns: A Maricopa County grand jury has indicted Marcus and Markieff Morris on felony aggravated assault charges for allegedly beating a man outside a city recreation center in January. According to a Phoenix police report, Erik Hood said five people including the Morris brothers repeatedly punched and kicked him. Police say it is alleged thatHood, 36, was assaulted for sending an inappropriate text message to the Morris brothers’ mother.