Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 sports
Wednesday 23 May 2018
All tied up: LeBron’s 44 helps Cavs even series with Celtics

By TOM WITHERS
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron
James knows the path to
the NBA Finals better than
anyone in today’s game.
And unless the Boston Celt-
ics do something soon, he’ll
get there again.
James bullied his way to 44
points, surpassed Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar atop a post-
season list and helped the
Cleveland Cavaliers even
the Eastern Conference
finals at 2-2 on Monday
night with a 111-102 victory
over the Celtics, who are
looking forward to getting
home before their ador-
ing fans. Pushed by a rau-
cous 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-of-three. Cleveland is
trying to become the 20th
team — out of 300 — to Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) steals the ball from Boston Celtics’ Semi Ojeleye (37) in the first half of Game 4 of the NBA
overcome a 2-0 deficit and basketball Eastern Conference finals Monday, May 21, 2018, in Cleveland.
James, who has already Associated Press
orchestrated two such ral- and several hustle plays, recorded his 25th career able to match James when na.
lies and is seeking his eighth outrunning three Celtics postseason game with at it mattered most. AMONGST GIANTS
straight finals, is a step clos- in one sequence and div- least 40 points — his sixth in “You hope he misses, that’s James seems to reach a
er to a third. To do it again ing for a loose ball. “I’ve this postseason. The Celtics about it,” Rozier said. “He’s milestone every game and
the Cavs will have to win in loved Kyle ever since we hung around in the sec- a big body and you’ve just he was honored to pass
Boston, where the Celtics made the trade to get him ond half and pulled within got to keep him in front, Abdul-Jabbar’s mark.
are 9-0 this postseason. here” James said. “I don’t 100-93 on Marcus Smart’s and hope he misses.” “To know where I come
“We know it’s going to be remember Kyle falling too basket with 4:29 left. But TIP-INS from, small city 35 miles
a hostile environment,” much like that. I’ve got to Thompson got free for a Celtics: Stevens was eva- south of here, and to hear
James said. “We know their keep his body as fresh as dunk, and after a miss by sive about his starting lineup I’m in the same category or
fans are going to be very possible. But listen, he’s Boston, James recovered during his pregame news talked about and jumping
energetic. But we have to doing whatever it takes to after making his seventh conference, not wanting these greats in the playoffs
just have our same mindset try to help us win, with the turnover by making a steal to give the Cavs any ad- — it’s pretty cool,” he said.
we had when we came blocks, with the strips. Obvi- and layup. Moments later, vance notice. “We will start “You hear the scoring, the
home for these two games. ously his shot making is very James drilled a 3-pointer five people. I promise,” he field goals made, and for a
If our minds are there, we key for our team as well, but from the left wing to finally said, drawing laughs from kid that really doesn’t care
put ourselves in a position it’s just the intangibles he’s put away the young Celt- media members. ... Injured much about scoring.”
to be victorious.” doing for us defensively.” ics, who will now feel the stars Gordon Hayward and OLD MAN KORVER
Game 5 is Wednesday Tristan Thompson had 13 immense pressure of trying Kyrie Irving are not traveling Frozen water was Korver’s
night at TD Garden, and points and 12 rebounds for to hold off the three-time with the team so they can postgame beverage.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens the Cavs, who won despite champion. “He’s the best continue their respective “I’m going to be hurting
is trying to stay positive with 19 turnovers and two assists in the game at evaluating rehabs. Both have been sit- tomorrow,” he said. “My
a team that has given up a in the second half. Kevin the court and figuring out ting on the bench with their back’s a little sore, my el-
2-0 lead and fell to 1-6 on Love had just nine points on what he wants and where teammates in Boston. bow is a little sore, but this is
the road in these playoffs. 3-of-12 shooting and was in he wants it,” Stevens said. Cavaliers: Won their sev- fun basketball. It’s the play-
“It’s the best two out of foul trouble, but he made “The thing about it is that enth straight playoff game offs. We’re at home. The
three to go to the NBA Fi- a big 3-pointer and follow you just have to battle. You at home. ... Love threw one crowd was rocking tonight.
nals. Doesn’t get better shot in the fourth quarter. just have to make it as hard of his patented “touch- And it just kind of takes over
than that,” he said. “Ul- Jaylen Brown scored 25 as possible, because he’s down” passes in the first you sometimes. So, yeah,
timately, anybody that and Boston had all five going to find a matchup quarter to James, who whatever it takes.”
didn’t think this was going scorers in double figures, that he ultimately wants.” outmaneuvered Smart SLOW START
to be tough, I mean, every- but the Celtics fell behind Stevens considered chang- and Brown like a wide re- For the second game in a
thing is tough. In this deal, by 19 in the first half and ing his starting lineup, but ceiver to make the catch row, the Celtics struggled in
it’s a blast to have to grit didn’t have enough to decided to stick with the and score. ... Browns rookie the first quarter. Boston got
your teeth, get up off the catch Cleveland. same first five — Brown, Jay- quarterback Baker May- some open looks, but shot
mat and go after it again.” And, of course, they didn’t son Tatum, Marcus Morris, field, the No. 1 pick in last just 27 percent (7 of 26) in
Kyle Korver added 14 have James, who moved Al Horford, and Terry Rozier month’s NFL draft, attend- the first 12 minutes with both
points and Cleveland’s past Abdul-Jabbar (2,356) — as the first three games. ed the game. ... Improved Tatum and Brown missing
sharp-shooting 37-year- for the most field goals in Boston’s starters held their to 9-3 vs. Boston in the play- dunks. Also, Morris picked
old added three block playoff history. James also own, but none of them was offs at Quicken Loans Are- up three quick fouls.q