NBA Playoff Capsules
By The Associated Press
May 17, 2008 - 05:06:55 CDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 32 points — 19 in the second half — and the Cleveland Cavaliers forced a decisive and fitting finale to this home-sweet-home playoff series with a 74-69 win Friday night over the Boston Celtics, who have gone from regular-season road kings to postseason road kill.
James made two key baskets midway through the fourth quarter to slow a Celtics comeback, Wally Szczerbiak hit a 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining and Joe Smith dropped two free throws with 14 seconds left as the Cavs forced a Game 7 on Sunday.
The Cavs are attempting to become the 14th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit and win a series, and to do so, the defending Eastern Conference champions will have to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 7-0 in the postseason.
Kevin Garnett scored 25 points, Paul Pierce 16 and Ray Allen just nine on 3-of-8 shooting. The Celtics got just two points from guard Rajon Rondo, who scored 20 in their Game 5 win. Boston’s point total was the second lowest in franchise playoff history and the fewest points ever given up by Cleveland in the postseason.
Copyright ©
Pulitzer Missouri Newspapers. All rights reserved.
http://www.dailyjournalonline.com/articles/2008/05/17/sports/doc482e5fcaf12d6160151478.txt
James made two key baskets midway through the fourth quarter to slow a Celtics comeback, Wally Szczerbiak hit a 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining and Joe Smith dropped two free throws with 14 seconds left as the Cavs forced a Game 7 on Sunday.
The Cavs are attempting to become the 14th team to overcome an 0-2 deficit and win a series, and to do so, the defending Eastern Conference champions will have to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 7-0 in the postseason.
Kevin Garnett scored 25 points, Paul Pierce 16 and Ray Allen just nine on 3-of-8 shooting. The Celtics got just two points from guard Rajon Rondo, who scored 20 in their Game 5 win. Boston’s point total was the second lowest in franchise playoff history and the fewest points ever given up by Cleveland in the postseason.