LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas Embrace After Cavs Eliminate Celtics

The Celtics couldn’t either.

Following a almost two-minute scoring drought, James got a driving layup to fall, and Williams continued to be a force when he drew a foul from Green while making a layup.

“I thought we played a little too haphazard (Thursday)”, said Stevens. “He was born for these moments”.

After allowing the Celtics to seize the early momentum in Game 4, the Cavs barely gave them the chance in Game 5.

As good as he was on the court, the Celtics have to be kicking themselves for not doing more with the time James on the bench in the second quarter which in hindsight, was among the bigger factors in them now returning home facing elimination as opposed to being tied at two games apiece in this series. When Irving joined the Cavs in 2011, the team was miserable. Kevin Love’s scoring and rebounding averages through the first four games of the Eastern Conference Finals – shooting.508 from the floor, .556 from beyond the arc and.857 from the stripe in the series. Prior to Lebron’s exit, Irving had accounted for just 2 points, and was seemingly absent. After opening a 16-point lead in Game 4, the Celtics couldn’t sustain it, then faltered in Game 5 at home. Cleveland’s high-scorer was Irving, who notched a career playoff high of 42 points. “Every time we scored, they came back and scored. Crowder. So, they got a lot of tough guys that are going to compete so they’re making us compete, which is good for us”. “We needed everything tonight”. Another was put into jeopardy by his foul trouble before Kyrie Irving stabilized the Cavs and James put them over the top. Do you draft Fultz and keep him for the long term? At the post-game press conference, an irate King James explained his no-show by saying he “just didn’t have it”. I’m pretty sure Steph Curry couldn’t even do this.

Up by 11 points after a layup from center Tristan Thompson as well as baskets from Irving and fellow guard J.R. Smith, James again fought through a foul and got a layup to go. Kevin Love added 17 points and a career playoff-high 17 rebounds Tuesday.

Boston, missing the injured Isaiah Thomas, had 4 players in double figures, with Avery Bradley scoring a leading 19 points.

Irving did not show any noticeable limp following the game as he walked down the hallway, stopping to hug and kiss friends and family following his performance. “It was 1 vs. 2”, Irving said.

“I mentioned the inspired basketball we play and they definitely played inspired basketball, not only here but in our arena”. “When we come into practice and everyone is locked in, true professionals, it makes the game a lot more fun”. Can Marcus Smart run the team in a high-pressure setting? “We had to do what we had to do”. 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.

They were two of the NBA’s best players during the regular season and played pivotal roles in helping their respective teams reach the Eastern Conference finals.