Cavaliers Storm Back in Game 3 vs Celtics

LeBron James and Co. cut series deficit to 2-1 to keep Finals dreams alive.

JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers grabs the rebound against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers grabs the rebound against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the first two game so the Eastern Conference finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers did not resemble the team that had made it to the last three Finals and won it all in 2016.

But in a wave of three-pointers, the Cavs let the Boston Celtics know that this would be a protracted battle. In front of the home crowd, Cleveland started the fireworks in the first period with a 13-0 run that set the tone for a 116-86 blowout win.  The team hit 17 of 34 from 3-point range, keeping the younger and less experienced Celtics on their heels.

LeBron James led the way with 27 points and 12 assists, but he had plenty of help: Six players scored in double figures.

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