Irving’s 42, LeBron’s 34 pushes Cavs past Celtics in Game 4

The series resumes Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena before returning to Boston on Thursday for a Game 5 that didn’t appear necessary until the Celtics stormed back from 21 down and won when Avery Bradley’s 3-pointer danced an Irish jig on the rim before falling with 0.01 seconds left.

It would be one of James’ only plays in the second quarter, as he sat for most of the quarter, with four fouls to his name.

“I thought LeBron made a lot of the right plays”, he said.

“No blame. We’re all to blame”, Lue said of James’ display.

During the third quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Game 4 against the Boston Celtics, point guard Kyrie Irving went down with what looked to be an ankle injury.

In addition, Jae Crowder suffered a strained left thigh in the third quarter of Game 4 as well, but returned to play the entire fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined for 76 points at home to the Celtics, who were without the injured Issaiah Thomas on Tuesday. With LeBron James struggling early, Irving’s incredible play helped Cleveland grab a win in Game 4, 112-99. “The stuff they’re running, it’s harder to defend than Golden State’s [offense] for me, as far as the actions and all the running around and all the guys who are making all the plays, so it’s a totally different thing”. He stayed on the floor for a few moments before sitting up and re-tying his sneaker. The matchup that most all had predicted before the season’s first shot is now just a Cleveland win away. The Celtics shot 45 percent from deep in Game 3, compared to 32.3 percent in Game 4.

If his second quarter was nice, Kyrie’s third quarter was magical.

The Cavs were behind, 57-47, at the half. “For whatever reason, all that changed in the second half“.

And then Kyrie Irving took over.

“He knows that. We know that”.

One of the most important players was Kevin Love. But that’s what great teams do.

Still, they both credited the Celtics for a strong effort.

Since Boston were without Isaiah Thomas due to a hip injury, the Cavaliers should have been able to keep the mojo going and dispatch the Celtics easily. Coach Brad Stevens said no decision had been made yet on whether Thomas would undergo an operation but reiterated that the guard is out for the remainder of the playoffs. It’s the postseason. At the end of the day, you just want to win the game. She was born almost five months early.

On Sunday, the Cavs were Marcus Smarted, and this time, just when the series seemed ready to start over at 2-2, the Celtics were Kyried, and that will pretty much be that.