Kevin Garnett and Celtics Close Out LeBron James and the Cavaliers
Game Six between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics took on a familiar tone down the stretch. The Celtics defense got the stops they needed, while LeBron James once again failed to receive any clutch play from his teammates.
Veteran teams know how to finish quarters.
Boston finished the third quarter in veteran fashion—pushing a three-point lead to nine in less than five minutes. James found himself playing catch-up for the rest of the game.
With 4:54 left in the game, James went to the free throw line making one. Anderson Varejao lost the rebound and Celtics forward Paul Pierce hit a big three-pointer.
From there, James would commit two turnovers, and the Celtics would hit two more three-pointers.
Like they had all series long in close games, the Cavaliers players not named LeBron became spectators.
Mo Williams, who scored 20 points in the first half, hit his first field goal of the second half with 49 seconds left in the third quarter. Williams would not score again in the game.
Antawn Jamison, who came to the Cavs in a highly publicized midseason trade, had absolutely no impact. Instead he became a defensive liability, giving up points to whoever he covered defensively.
On defense, the Cavaliers gave what will probably be considered their best effort of the season.
Unfortunately for Cavs fans, James' supporting cast demonstrated a key weakness. The Cavaliers still need to learn how to win in the postseason.
The Celtics doubled James throughout the final quarter, smothering him any time he threatened to score. Once again, James suffered a bad shooting night in a big game, going 8-21 from the field.
In the end, the Celtics experience and tough team attitude proved too much. Pierce only played 8:51 in the first half due to three fouls.
In the second half, Pierce took advantage of his team's defensive efforts, finding open shots in transition. He reinforced the effort with shut-down defense on James to help close out the series.
Pierce finished the game with only 11 points, but they were a crucial 11 points at big moments in the game.
Kevin Garnett carried the Celtics.
Cavs head coach Mike Brown decided to start the game with Shaq covering Garnett. That plan got scrapped quickly, when the “Big Ticket” got his turnaround jumper going. It wouldn't matter, as Garnett torched anybody Brown put in front of him.
Garnett finished with a double-double including a team-high 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Overall, the Celtics had too many weapons. Rondo continued performing like a league superstar with 21 points and 12 assists.
Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, and Tony Allen gave the Celtics strong bench minutes—especially in the first half, when Ray Allen and Paul Pierce picked up early fouls.
The trio accounted for 24 points, compared to only 14 points from Cavaliers reserves.
Boston's ability to get good play from so many people, kept the Cavs off balance. In respect to his team, and how they were able to get wins this series, Pierce stated, “You can't key on one guy.”
For the Celtics, Game Six came down to keying on two different players on opposite ends of the floor. James received all the attention from the Celtics defense. Meanwhile, offensively, the Celtics looked for anybody matched-up with Jamison.
Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic await the Celtics, in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference Semifinals series. The Magic have cruised their way to the conference finals with two sweeps.
For tonight, the city of Boston will celebrate. Tomorrow, it will be back to work.
Garnett and the Celtics preparing for the Magic, and Bruins fans getting ready for a Game Seven.
Tonight in Cleveland, many hearts will ache about the season that should have been.
Tomorrow in Cleveland, heads will ache wondering what will be come July 1.
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