James & Cavs crush Celtics

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Europe

02:05

LeBron James regained his sublime form and was back to his marauding best as the Cleveland Cavaliers steamrolled the Boston Celtics 116-86. The Cavaliers clawed their way back into the NBA Eastern Conference finals on Saturday night as they cut down the deficit in the best-of-seven series to 2-1. Interestingly, no NBA team has returned to win a series from 0-3.

The Cavaliers, trying to return to the NBA Finals for a fourth straight year, came out blazing in all cylinders from the word go on their home floor and wasted no time in racing to a 12-4 lead midway through the first quarter, which they ended leading 32-17.

George Hill of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs. /VCG Photo ‍

James, whose 42-point triple-double was in vain in game two, led the way with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five assists along with two steals and two blocked shots. Kyle Korver scored 14 points off the bench while George Hill and Kevin Love scored 13 apiece.

"We were really good," James said after the almost lopsided game. “We had our focus and offensively and defensively we made plays.”

Cleveland led 61-41 at halftime and 87-63 through three quarters. “It was really a great defensive game for us,” mentioned Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue.

(With inputs from AFP)