LEBRON James is tired. The young Boston Celtics seem to be getting stronger.
Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points — his ninth 20-point game of the postseason — and Boston beat Cleveland 96-83 on Wednesday night, May 23, to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics held James to two fourth-quarter points, earning their 10th straight victory in Boston to remain perfect at home this postseason and move within one win of their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2010.
Game 6 is in Cleveland on Friday night, May 25, with the decisive seventh game back in Boston on Sunday, May 27, if necessary.
The home team has won every game so far in the series, and none has been closer than nine points.
Al Horford had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and 21-year-old Jaylen Brown had 17 points for Boston.
Tatum added seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals one day after finishing a single vote shy of a unanimous selection to the National Basketball Association's (NBA) All-Rookie team.
Kevin Love scored 14 points for the Cavaliers, who are trying to reach the finals for the fourth consecutive season. James has played to the end in seven straight seasons.
To extend that streak, he will need to win two in a row.
James had one basket on four shots in the fourth quarter and afterward conceded that he was worn down. He finished 1 for 6 from 3-point range in the game; the Cavaliers made just nine of 34 attempts from beyond the arc and shot just 42 percent overall.
"I had my moments, but I think everybody at this point is tired, worn down whatever the case may be," he said. "I was still trying to make plays, put our team in position to win." (AP)