LeBron blitzes bewildered Boston
King James passes Kareem for most field goals in playoff history
CLEVELAND — LeBron James knows the path to the NBA Finals better than anyone in today’s game.
And unless the Boston Celtics do something soon, he’ll get there again.
James bullied his way to 44 points, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar atop a postseason record list and helped the Cleveland Cavaliers even the Eastern Conference final at 2-2 on Monday night with a 111-102 victory over the Celtics, who are looking forward to getting home before their adoring fans.
Pushed by a raucous crowd that wasn’t so confident a few days ago, the Cavs held off Boston’s comeback in the fourth quarter and squared a tight series that is now a best-ofthree.
Cleveland is trying to become the 20th team — out of 300 — to overcome a 2-0 deficit and James, who has already orchestrated two such rallies and is seeking his eighth straight Finals, is a step closer to a third.
But to do it again the Cavs will have to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 9-0 this postseason.
“It’s a hostile environment,” James said.
“We understand that hostility. We know that there’s no love in there. If you ain’t got on green, if you don’t play for that team, if you don’t bleed green, they got no love for you. So we’ve got to come out with a bunker mentality and understand it’s just us. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”
Game 5 is on Wednesday night at TD Center, and Celtics coach Brad Stevens is trying to stay positive with a team that has slipped to 1-6 on the road in these playoffs.
“It’s the best two out of three to go to the NBA Finals. Doesn’t get better than that,” Stevens said.
“Ultimately, anybody that didn’t think this was going to be tough, I mean, everything is tough. In this deal, it’s a blast to have to grit your teeth, get up off the mat and go after it again.”
Kyle Korver added 14 points and Cleveland’s sharp-shooting 37-year-old added several hustle plays, outrunning three Celtics in one sequence and diving for a loose ball.
Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs. Kevin Love had just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting and was in foul trouble, but he made a big 3-pointer and follow shot in the fourth quarter.
Jaylen Brown scored 25 and Boston had all five scorers in double figures, but the Celtics fell behind by 19 in the first half and didn’t have enough to catch Cleveland.
And, of course, they didn’t have James, who eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar (2,356) for the most field goals in playoff history.
James also recorded his 25th career playoff game with at least 40 points — his sixth in this postseason.
The Celtics hung around in the second half and pulled within 100-93 on Marcus Smart’s basket with 4:29 left. But Thompson got free for a dunk and, after a miss by Boston, James recovered after making his seventh turnover by making a steal and layup.
Moments later, James drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to finally put away the young Celtics, who will now feel the immense pressure of trying to hold off the three-time champion.
“He’s the best in the game at evaluating the court and figuring out what he wants and where he wants it,” Stevens said.
“The thing about it is that you just have to battle. You just have to make it as hard as possible, because he’s going to find a matchup that he ultimately wants.”
Stevens considered changing his starting lineup, but decided to stick with the same first five — Brown, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris, Al Horford, and Terry Rozier — as the first three games.
Boston’s starters held their own, but none of them was able to match James when it mattered most.
Slow start
For the second game in a row, the Celtics struggled in the first quarter.
Boston got some open looks, but shot just 27 percent (7 of 26) in the first 12 minutes with both Tatum and Brown missing dunks. Also, Morris picked up three quick fouls.
Blowout city
Like most fans, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue has been stunned — but not necessarily disappointed — by the number of lopsided wins in the playoffs, especially in the semifinals.
The first six games between Boston-Cleveland and Houston-Golden State were decided by an average of 24 points. The Warriors won Game 3 on Sunday night by 41, the largest margin of victory in franchise history.
“It does surprise me,” Lue said.
“All four teams are really good. But the home court has shown it’s been a factor.”