LeBron James Leads Cavs Over Celtics

Filed under: Cavaliers, Celtics, Playoffs

Some things never change.



Although Cleveland's roster has seen a dramatic makeover, and although Boston is far less daunting, the rematch of the epic 2008 Eastern Conference semifinals started off with something real familiar: LeBron James going nuts. For the fifth time this season, LeBron dropped at least 30 points on the Celtics, going for 35 in Game 1 as Cleveland won 101-93.



LeBron didn't actually start off so hot, and it's unlikely his famously sore elbow had much to do with it. James began the game 1-of-5 from the floor as Cleveland struggled to produce on offense. Boston, led by a surging Rajon Rondo, kept a multi-possession lead most of the first half. Rondo had no trouble zipping by Mo Williams, and only slightly less trouble when Anthony Parker, a 2009 addition to the Cavs, marked him. As the Celtics took an 11-point lead into halftime, Rondo had owned the game with a brilliant 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting (with 6-of-6 at the stripe) and eight assists. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett looked semi-vintage, handling himself proudly on defense while scoring on some deft Rondo passes.



Sparked by what is being billed as the first career dunk for diminutive Cleveland guard Mo Williams, the Cavaliers came back strong late in the third quarter. Williams' jam, a soaring transition pop over the outstretched of a chasing Pierce, drew a fantastic crowd boom and a chorus of home bench stinkfaces. Williams glared at Pierce after the jam, milking the moment before scoring the Cavs' next eight points to cut Boston's lead to five. Including Mo's run, the Cavs scored on 11 consecutive possessions to close the period, taking a 1-point lead into the fourth, capped with a buzzer-beating LeBron layup.

 

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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/05/01/lebron-james-leads-cavs-over-celtics/