Published Tue, May 04 10 11:48 AM
The Boston Celtics crashed the LeBron James celebration and evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals series with a resounding 104-86 victory Monday.
On the same night that James was presented with the league MVP trophy, the Celtics stole the spotlight with a big third-quarter run then survived a late Cavs' spurt to send the series back to Boston tied 1-1.
Rajon Rondo recorded 13 points and 19 assists, and Ray Allen had a team-high 22 points for Boston which rebounded from its Game One defeat.
After controlling the early stages but fading late in the series opening loss Saturday, the Celtics turned the tables this time with a 31-12 scoring advantage in the third quarter that put the visitors up 23.
Cleveland created a few nervous moments by pulling within 10 in the fourth before being turned back.
"We were playing the clock instead of the game," Rondo told reporters of his team's blown lead. "We got stagnant, we kept looking at the clock and we were hoping it would run out. It's important we come out in Game Three and do the things we did but close the game out."
On a night that was supposed to be his, James finished with 24 points but appeared bothered by the nagging right elbow injury that appears to be tempering his aggressiveness.
James did not receive much help from his supporting cast as Mo Williams went 1-for-9 with four points and the Cavs shot just 40 percent from the field.
Boston, on the other hand, got complete balance as all five starters posted double-figures scoring.
Kevin Garnett put up 18 points and 10 rebounds while reserve Rasheed Wallace stepped up with 17 points after being called out by his coach for poor play following Game One.
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