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Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics: LeBron James helps Cavs tie series

Last updated on .From the section Basketballcomments30

Boston Celtics' Marcus Morris attempts to block LeBron James of Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James (left) has made the past seven NBA finals with Miami Heat and Cleveland

LeBron James hopes to "play great once again" in his bid to reach an eighth straight NBA finals.

James produced a devastating display to help his Cleveland Cavaliers level the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals against Boston Celtics on Friday.

He scored 46 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a 109-99 win at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The series is tied at 3-3 and Cleveland must win in Boston on Sunday to progress to the finals.

The winner will meet Houston Rockets or Golden State Warriors.

Cleveland led for most of the game and when Boston did threaten to get back into it late on, James scored two three-pointers in 43 seconds to give his side control once more.

The 14-time All Star James has made the past seven NBA finals with Miami Heat and Cleveland, and if the Cavaliers become the first team to win on the road in this Eastern Conference finals series, he will be in his eighth.

"I've been fortunate enough to play some good basketball through my career," said the 33-year-old American.

"Hopefully I'll get myself in a position to play great once again on Sunday."

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he "can't say enough good things" about James but he insisted his side will be "ready to go" in Sunday's decider.

"This troupe's resilient," he added.

Cleveland may be without Kevin Love on Sunday after the forward left the court with suspected concussion following a collision with the Celtics' Jayson Tatum.

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30 comments

  • Comment posted by U16881268, at 08:18 26 May 2018

    King James. It’s really hard to say GOAT because times change, science enters the game more, analysis is better so you almost have to judge a player in their era in all sports not just on numbers alone. For me this guy in B.B. and Messi in football are the greatest but I’ve never had the joy of watching Jordan revolutionise the game or Pele go from kicking a coke can to lifting the WC. Legends.

  • Comment posted by ansomecric, at 08:33 26 May 2018

    Incredible performance from LeBron. He's been showing signs of fatigue already and another 46 minutes last night won't help.

    If he turns in another 46 point near triple double in game 7 and they get the W, then what an effort. On paper, this team has no right to be in the Finals.

    When LeBron James is playing well, there's simply nothing that anyone can do to stop him.

  • Comment posted by Jamesy b, at 07:37 26 May 2018

    The guy's a freak. Especially with the likes of JR Smith and Tristan Thompson not turning up in most playoff games. Still fancy Boston on home court.

  • Comment posted by Jamesy b, at 08:14 26 May 2018

    @2

    1) No, it's not.
    2) So what if the scores are high? You could watch a game of football where you might not even see a goal, is that "better"?
    3) To be a professional athlete in any sport makes you a freak in a way. Except I would use freak to emphasise their talents in a positive way, instead of shallow criticism.
    4) Watch more than five minutes next time, give it a chance perhaps?

  • Comment posted by thedegenerate, at 07:53 26 May 2018

    Vote up for LeBron, vote down for Curry

  • Comment posted by stevemcqueen, at 12:34 26 May 2018

    I wasn't sure about LJ at the start of his career - too much hype - but he's certainly convinced me now. He does the thing that separates the "very good" from the "great" - he delivers when it really matters. Definitely playing at the same level as MJ in his pomp (and I never thought I see someone do that).

  • Comment posted by McB, at 10:36 26 May 2018

    @2 Charlieboy

    "Got bored after 5 mins"
    Doesn't mean it's tedious - just means you don't have the attention span to get to understand it. Football is the popular game in the world but if you only watched 5 minutes it would be boring.

    People who criticise the scoring frequency of basketball don't realise that possession misses become as important as "goals".

  • Comment posted by killerfrail, at 10:31 26 May 2018

    What’s annoying is people needing to know or say who is the “goat” rather than just sit back and appreciate and enjoy the player in the current times. If your lucky enough like lil ole me to span the era from Jordan and the Bulls to LeBron and his teams. You can’t compare, different games. Just enjoy LeBron, you’ll miss him when he’s gone.

  • Comment posted by Duncan, at 08:09 26 May 2018

    G
    O
    A
    T

  • Comment posted by llc12, at 11:49 26 May 2018

    Unbelievable performance. Cleveland were nearly out in the first round, but now LeBron has them on the brink of the finals.

    Still, HOU/GSW is the real final, can't see Cleveland topping either of them this year.

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 10:00 26 May 2018

    LeBron James is a great player with freakishly good qualities.

    I still fancy the Celtics to do the business as they now have home advantage. The Bostonian crowd will be very loud!

  • Comment posted by pcbs, at 01:24 27 May 2018

    Bbc global diversity black men’s netball from America

  • Comment posted by Calm down it will all work out, at 11:07 26 May 2018

    Lebron is the greatest

  • Comment posted by Leadman86, at 10:43 26 May 2018

    #lebronisadon

  • Comment posted by Carlito, at 10:04 26 May 2018

    This still won't overshadow his performance in Amy Schumer's "Trainwreck"

  • Comment posted by The Binocular, at 08:40 26 May 2018

    Me aged 15: Mum, can I have LeBron's new trainers?

    Mum: How much are they?

    Me: £150

    Mum: £150!? Why do you want them so badly?

    Me: So I can be like LeBron!

    Mum: Why do you always want to be like LeBron? If LeBron jumped off a cliff would you jump off too?

    Me: Mum! If LeBron jumped off a cliff he'd land on the other side!

  • Comment posted by ticktock, at 08:13 26 May 2018

    Better than Michael Jordan?

  • Comment posted by Sir MAX, at 10:14 26 May 2018

    I wish my man LJ success in the deciding game in Boston. Go LJ go!

  • Comment posted by U16651053, at 09:43 27 May 2018

    @3 Think that boat has long since sailed tbh. Curry is awesome but LeBron is capable of dragging teams that simply aren't good enough for the play-offs through.

  • Comment posted by F10, at 14:13 26 May 2018

    2.

    What on Earth is the BB final?

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