In perhaps the most shocking upset of the season, the shorthanded Boston Celtics overcame a 21-point second half deficit to get a 111-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland used some hot three-point shooting in the first half to build that huge lead, but went cold in the second half. In turn, Boston caught fire and came all the way back to take lead with four minutes to play. The two sides then traded the lead down the stretch, and after Kyrie Irving's layup appeared ready to send the game into overtime, Avery Bradley drained this three to win the game.
AVERY BRADLEY...FOR THE WIN! #ItsNotLuck #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/QPKuaPnnBC
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 22, 2017
The biggest question coming into the game was how the Celtics would look without Isaiah Thomas, who is out for the rest of the playoffs with a hip injury, and they had several players step up. They particularly focused their effort on three-point shooting (18-40 as a team), which spearheaded their comeback effort.
Marcus Smart stepped into the starting lineup and contributed 27 points and seven assists in Thomas' absence, while Bradley also had 20 points. In all, six Celtics players scored in double figures.
Avery Bradley goes behind his back in transition for the crafty finish! #ItsNotLuck #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xvVn01qn8H
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 22, 2017
A 21 point deficit is down to just 5. @celtics catch fire in the 3rd. They trail @cavs 87-82 after 3 on @NBAonTNT.
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2017
CLE seeking 3-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/T6WS8UxUCr
Irving led the Cavaliers with 29 points and seven assists, while Kevin Love added 28 points and 10 rebounds. Tristan Thompson also came up big with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
First quarter three-pointer counter for the @cavs in Game 3:
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2017
pic.twitter.com/mde7ojWk7i
Kevin Love throws a touchdown pass to LeBron! #DefendTheLand #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/SGuDEu3a4D
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) May 22, 2017
LeBron James had his worst game of the postseason, recording just 11 points, and that proved to be the difference in the game. He scored just three points in the second half.
Game 4 is Tuesday at 8:30 pm ET on TNT.
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