Cleveland Fights for Playoff Life in Game 6

The Boston Celtics will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 6 at home after a shocking 120-88 win in Cleveland on Tuesday night. The Celtics “Big Three” finally put together a performance that we haven’t seen since they won the NBA Championship in 2008.

Rajon Rondo took control of game 4 with a 29 point, 18 rebound and 13 assist performance. Maybe the Cavs game plan was over analyzed as they paid far too much attention to Rondo and forgot about the 3 players that were put together to make this Boston team Champions just 2 years earlier. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett combined for 64 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists in a blowout win in one of the hardest venues to play in the NBA.

Cleveland had just 6 losses at home the entire year, and none of them were this important or lopsided. LeBron James had just 15 points on 3-14 shooting as the Celtics decided to make the rest of the Cavaliers team beat them. They couldn’t! Shaquille O’Neal had one of his best games of the post-season pouring in 21 points and adding 4 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. However, the rest of the starting line-up combined for just 32 points and 7 assists. Mo Williams has been off his game for the entire series and couldn’t find his shot Tuesday when the Cavs needed it most.

Boston’s defense was outstanding as they held Cleveland to just 63 points through 3 quarters at home. The question for the Celtics coming into this match-up was the aging of their 3 best players. No one questioned their veteran leadership and their ability to frustrate opponents with savvy defensive tactics.

Everything came together in game 5 as the Celtics now fly home and give themselves a chance to closeout the series at home against what many believed to be the best team in the association this season. Expect a much more intense game Thursday as the Cavaliers have their backs to the wall, and will need to hold the Boston offense down if they intent to keep this series alive and force a game 7.

Related posts:

1. Boston and Cleveland Battle in Game 3
2. Boston Tries to Bounce Back after 2nd Half Meltdown
3. Cavaliers Look to Maintain Home Court Advantage in Game 5
4. Atlanta and Cleveland in Eastern Conference Clash
5. Lakers and Celtics Go To Battle in Game 1 of NBA Finals

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