Written by Jeff Zillgitt at USAToday.com
Takeaways from the Boston Celtics’ 111-108 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday night.
Sub-par LeBron
LeBron James had his worst game of the postseason with 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting, including 0-for-4 on three-pointers. He had six rebounds, six assists and six turnovers and scored just three points in the second half and zero in the final 16 minutes, 32 seconds.
“I had a tough game, period,” James said. “Not just in the second half. Me personally, I didn’t have it. My teammates did a great job of keeping us in the game, building that lead. But me personally, I didn’t have it. That’s all I’ve got to say about my performance.”
LeBron James on his 11-point game in the #Cavs Game 3 loss:
“I didn’t have it. That’s all I’ve got to say about my performance.” pic.twitter.com/u5u1Q2d9gS
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 22, 2017
James’ run of playoff games with at least 30 points ended at eight. He has scored at least 30 in nine of 11 playoff games. Celtics coach Brad Stevens wasn’t about to take any credit for “stopping” James.
“I don’t want to act like we’ve figured anything out,” Stevens said.
Even though Kyrie Irving (29 points) and Kevin Love (28 points) had great scoring games, it’s tough for the Cavs to win with James scoring just 11.
Celtics plays after timeouts
Stevens has a reputation for drawing up great plays during a timeout.
Stevens’ after timeout plays – known as ATOs – worked to perfection. In the final minute, the Celtics called three timeouts and they scored after each one – an Al Horford jump shot, a long Jonas Jerebko two-pointer and Avery Bradley’s game-winning three-pointer.
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