(Sports Network) - You can blame it on the balky elbow, a shaky supporting cast or the numerous off-court distractions that follow the NBA’s best player around on a daily basis.
The Series, Cleveland’s Season, Legacies, LeBron’s Image: It’s All On The Line In Tonight’s Game 6
Whatever the excuse, LeBron James will head to TD Garden tonight knowing his legacy in Cleveland is on the line, as the Cavs try and stave off elimination in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the underdog Boston Celtics.
Persistent rumors have James opting-out of his contract after the season for the lure of the bright lights in the big city, either New York or Chicago. So, the two-time reigning NBA MVP, who is coming off one of the worst playoff performances of his career during the pivotal Game 5 of the set in Cleveland on Tuesday, could be playing his last game in a Cavs uniform tonight.
Paul Pierce, who had averaged just under 12 points in this series prior to Tuesday, added 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Boston, which is on the verge of eliminating Cleveland from the postseason for the second time in three years.
Kevin Garnett posted 18 points and six boards, while Rajon Rondo had 16 with seven assists.
“We’re a defensive team that can score the ball, and we have to hang our hat on that,” Garnett said.
The Celtics now stand one game away from facing the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. Boston used its trademark defense to hold Cleveland to 41.2 percent from the field while winning the rebounding battle, 41-31.
"It was team defense," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "I thought our guys -- Rondo, all of them -- they got into their space, they showed help the entire game. Every single guy was in the right spot the entire game, and I thought that was more than one individual. In terms of a group, this was one of our best defensive jobs."
Most notably affected was James, who ended with just 15 points and didn’t record his first field goal until midway through the third quarter. He shot a miserable 3-of-14 from the field and was held under 20 points in a postseason game for the first time since scoring 12 on May 6, 2008 against these same Celtics.
“I think (the Celtics’) defense had a bit to do with (my performance) because they’re on the court and they’re aggressive,” James said. “I just missed a lot of shots I’m capable of making. You don’t see it out of me a lot, so when you see it, it’s a big surprise.”
Shaquille O'Neal chipped in with 21 points, but the rest of the Cavs were largely held in check. Anthony Parker had 14 points, but Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams combined to shoot 7-of-18 and had nine points apiece.
"Tough game. It's a disappointing game," said Cavs head coach Mike Brown. "There was little that we did right throughout the course of the game. We can't dismiss this game. We have to look at it and see what we can do better next game. In Game 6, we'll learn a lot about ourselves, and that's what we have to get ready for."
The Cavs and Celtics split four games in the regular season while both clubs finished off their opening round opponents this year in just five games, as Cleveland dispensed of Central Division rival Chicago, and the Celtics sent the Miami Heat back to South Beach.
The teams have met four times previously in the postseason dating back to the 1975-76 season when Boston won the Eastern Conference finals over the Cavs in six games. The C’s also won a first round series over Cleveland in 1984-85, and in the East semis in 2007-08. The Cavs only win in the postseason over Boston came in the East semifinals during the 1991-92 season, also a seven- game set.
A deciding Game 7, if necessary, will be back in Cleveland on Sunday.
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