Tonight’s Game 3 matchup between the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and No. 1 seeded Boston Celtics started with decent pace.
Al Horford opened the scoring with a post-up shot, giving the Celtics their first lead of the series. However, Boston’s momentum was short-lived, as Cleveland answered with swarming defense and an 8-2 run.
Kevin Love, who was 4-for-4 from downtown at the time, extended Cleveland’s lead to seven near the midway point of the first quarter.
At the first break, the Cavs were 9-of-13 from beyond the arc (franchise-high for postseason opening quarter) and leading by 11 points, 35-24.
#Cavs with a franchise playoff high for most triples in the first quarter with 9…one shy of best overall Qtr, which was 10 vs Atl last Yr
— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) May 22, 2017
Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue called on his reserves, led by LeBron James, to start the second quarter of play. Iman Shumpert came out swinging, knocking down four quick points.
The Celtics, who were playing without Isaiah Thomas due to an injured hip, continued to struggle from the field. The Cavs obliged by pushing their advantage to 15 near the midway point of the second frame.
The Celtics weren’t ready to lie down yet, however. A 9-3 run had the boys from Beantown within nine points of the champs, forcing a timeout from coach Lue. Boston’s momentum was once again short-lived, however. After the timeout, the Cavs pushed their lead to 16 by way of another three from Love. This time, it was Celtics head coach Brad Stevens calling a timeout.
At the halftime horn, Love’s franchise-high 7-of-10 mark from downtown had led the Cavs to a 16 point advantage, 66-50
.@kevinlove just set a @cavs playoff record for 3s in a half with 7 (prev 6 by @TheRealJRSmith in 1st H vs ATL on 5/4/16)
— Cherome Owens (@RomeyOwens) May 22, 2017
Half: #Cavs 66, Celtics 50: Love 22p, Irving 17p 6a, James 8p 5r 5a; Bradley 12p, Crowder 9p. Cavs 60% FG, 14-22 3s; C's 44%, 7-18.
— Marla Ridenour (@MRidenourABJ) May 22, 2017
[HALF]
Kevin Love: 22pts, 2reb, 2ast, 1blk
Kyrie Irving: 17pts, 6ast, 2reb
LeBron James: 8pts, 5ast, 5reb, 1blk— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationNet) May 22, 2017
Coming out of the locker room, the Cavs continued to build on their lead. Just two minutes into the third quarter, Cleveland’s edge grew to 20 points.
The Celtics dug in and battled back, answering with a 12-2 run to reduce their deficit to 10 near the four minute mark of the third. At the end of three quarters of play, the Celtics were within five points, 87-82.
The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a quick three, cutting the Cavs’ lead to just two points.
Marcus Smart tied the game at 95 apiece near the midway point of the final quarter. All of a sudden, Boston seemed to be gaining momentum.
The battle raged on as time ticked away in the game. With just under five minutes remaining, Kelly Olynyk gave the Celtics their first lead since the opening minute with an easy lay-in.
A back-and-forth battle ensued until Avery Bradley‘s game-winning three gave the short-handed Celtics a 111-108 come-from-behind upset inside Quicken Loans Arena.
For #Cavs: @KyrieIrving, 29pt, 10-15FG, 4-6 3ptFG; @kevinlove, 28pt, 8-16FG, 7-13 3ptFG, 10reb; @RealTristan13, 18pt, 3-4FG, 12-15FT, 13reb.
— Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG) May 22, 2017
https://youtu.be/Ks1gF4pc7ic
Despite their hot start, the Cavs, who now hold a one game advantage in the series (2-1), fell flat in the second half. Game 3 is set for 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, right back inside The Q. We’ll just have to wait and see if the champs can get back on track.
