Bowing in Boston

Kevin Garnett turned in 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Boston eliminated the number one seed 94-85 at TD Garden Thursday night to move on to the conference finals. Two-time MVP, LeBron James, recorded his sixth career playoff triple-double in what could be his final game as a Cavalier. James finished with a game high 27 points and added 19 rebounds and 10 assists in the loss. The Cavs were ultimately doomed by turnovers, including nine by James. Despite Cleveland’s bounce back effort from Tuesday’s trouncing and their aggressiveness, the Cavs’ season fell short of the finals for the second straight year. Boston staved off the top seed and will face the Orlando Magic for a chance to return to the championship game for the first time since 2008. The Magic will have home court advantage because they are seeded second.
Cleveland showed a credible spirit and James set the tone early in the contest. Still, the Celtics held the Cavs under 90 points for the third straight game. Mike Brown’s team shot just 38% and James was successful on 8-of-21 from the floor. The soon-to-be free agent, James, may have been crippled by an injured elbow, but he still resembled the25 year old league MVP with nifty dunks, leg pumping jumper and backdoor darts to the basket. Garnett was strong in the post for Boston as the previously injury-plagued Celtics delivered a post-season performance to remember. Boston’s Big Three tandem of Garnett, Paul Peirce and Ray Allen combined for 43 points. It was Rondo and Garnett sparking the Celtics after the intermission, in which Boston held a 51-49 edge. Garnett landed his third double-double of the series.
The Cavaliers stayed close for two quarters but the cohesive Celtics began pulling away in the third. Boston outscored Cleveland by seven in the pivotal third, charging the net with fast-break points. Cleveland’s 24 turnovers were too much to overcome and Boston capitalized with 27 points. Rondo snagged 12 rebounds and had 21 points, and Peirce plowed through Cleveland defenders for 13 points. Peirce’s 3-pointer with four minutes in the third put the Celtics up 65-58, giving the hosts some breathing room. Boston completed a 16-4 run before the start of the fourth quarter as the Cavs went to their bench for help. Boston’s bench was much deeper as Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen combined for 23 points. Wallace knocked down a trey and Allen picked up a steal in the final five minutes of regulation with the Cavs trailing 88-74.
Mo Williams, who lifted the Cavs with 20 points during the first half, was ineffective in the second half. Shaquille O’Neal contributed 11 buckets in 24 minutes for visiting Cleveland and Anderson Varejao struggled offensively despite grabbing seven boards. It was the veteran Celtics’ forward stealing the show Thursday. Garnett was 11-of-19 from the field with key offensive rebounds. He was too tall and silky for the Cavaliers’ Antwan Jamison. Jamison went just 2-of-20 shooting against the clamped down Boston big men.
James is eligible to opt out of his contract this offseason. It’s been another upsetting end for the Ohio native and city that hasn’t had a championship team since 1964. Boston gained the 4-2 series victory after reeling off three consecutive wins. The Cavs clearly allowed the Celtics back into the series. Credit Boston for shooting and distributing the ball well, and for playing outstanding defense.

Parting Points: Friday Firings Update- The Hawks dismissed Mike Woodson and the Royals let go of Trey Hillman.