avatar image
Advertisement

LeBron James the hero again for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they progress past Boston Celtics to NBA Finals

Cleveland talisman again the difference as he drags his team to NBA Finals

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James drove his team to yet another NBA Finals. Photo: USA Today
With another game seven victory at stake, LeBron James would not miss. He would not sit out. And he would not be denied an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals.

The four-time league MVP scored 35 points with 15 rebounds and nine assists on Sunday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 87-79 win over the Celtics and eliminating Boston from the Eastern Conference finals in the decisive seventh game.

In the first close game of the series – and the lowest-scoring – James played all 48 minutes and had 12 of his points in the fourth quarter for his sixth straight game seven win.

The NBA Finals begin on Thursday at either Houston or Golden State. The Rockets host the seventh game of the West finals on Monday night.

Jayson Tatum scored 24 for Boston, who were looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. Al Horford scored 17 points and Marcus Morris added 14 with 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who led 72-71 with six minutes remaining before the Cavaliers scored 15 of the next 17 points to pull away.
LeBron James embraces Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics in game seven. Photo: EPA
LeBron James embraces Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics in game seven. Photo: EPA

James and Horford embraced after the buzzer, then the Cavaliers donned NBA Finals hats and Eastern conference championship shirts before shuffling off the court to receive their trophy.

It’s not the one they want.

Advertisement