29 May, 2017
But those losses have multiple asterisks and caveats - mainly, James often wasn't the only starter sitting out of those games.And there were a few signs during the regular season which showed the Cavs could in fact play well in stretches without him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are closing in on another trip to the NBA Finals as they beat the Boston Celtics in Game 4, 112-99, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It's also the third straight year the two teams have clashed in the finals, with Golden State winning the title in 2015. LeBron and co. will now look to close out the Celtics back in Boston, where Cleveland simply dominated in Games 1 and 2.
LeBron James scored 35 points on an absurdly efficient 13-for-18 shooting, and almost hit a triple double with eight each in assists and rebounds, and didn't return for the garbage time fourth. In my opinion, James should be giving Irving all the praise because there he was again to save him, like he did in the 2016 National Basketball Association finals. Watch what we said and then tell us how you'll think of Game 3.
The Celtics returned to their offensively sparse ways, with Avery Bradley (23 points) the only player to rise above the drought.
They did. And they built a 16-point lead, before the Cleveland stars, more notable Irving, stole the game right back.
After allowing the Celtics to seize the early momentum in Game 4, the Cavs barely gave them the chance in Game 5.
Love continued to knock down shots from the outside, Irving sliced his way into the lane to the rim and James got free for several of his one-handed, tomahawk dunks. If needed, the series would then alternate between Golden State and Cleveland for the final three games of the best-of-seven series on June 12, 15 and 18. Coach Brad Stevens said no decision had been made yet on whether Thomas would undergo an operation but he reiterated that he is out for the remainder of the playoffs.
"I've twisted my ankle so many times that plays like that, you have two choices, either you can sit there and kind of wallow in the sorrow of you twisting your ankle or capture the moment", Irving said.
"It was one of those games we had to fight through and we had to earn it", he said.
Isaiah Thomas was shut down for the season after aggravating a lingering hip injury in Game 2 of the series.
