CLEVELAND – It’s a familiar part of the playoff process, especially for a young team, but familiarity doesn’t make it any less aggravating. Every tough loss leaves “if-only’’ laments for the loser that linger right up until the next game of a series tips off.
Sometimes that next game doesn’t come until the next season. In that sense, the Celtics are fairly fortunate following their 111-102 loss to LeBron James and other assorted lesser Cavaliers Tuesday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Cavs have won two at home. The Celtics, as long ago as it may seem right now, after they required one game and the first quarter of another to actually show up in Cleveland, won their two at home.