The Boston Celtics used a strong third quarter, outscoring the Cleveland Cavaliers by 14 points, to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday night. In the end, the Celtics ran away with the game, winning 107-94.
Guard Terry Rozier was tremendous for the home team, as was Jaylen Brown.
Terry Rozier put up 14 points in the 3rd and gave the #Celtics the lead…
…he also may want to frame this photo for his man-cave #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/vUuedp99xC
— Stadium (@Stadium) May 16, 2018
LeBron James came out with an incredible first quarter, scoring 21 of his team’s 27 points to spark an early lead for the Cavs. He cooled off in the second quarter, however, and a blow to the jaw which took him out of the game for a short while seemed to really put a damper on his game and demeanor for a long stretch in the game.
LeBron James, one of the most vocal leaders in all of sports, is barely speaking on the court. He isn’t even demonstratively arguing foul calls?! Something is wrong with him.
— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/joe_pezz11/status/996563613585432576
In the end, James still had an incredible overall showing, going for 42 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for a triple-double.
As we saw all throughout the first round, James didn’t get much help from his teammates. In particular, J.R. Smith was utterly useless, and he ended up absolutely embarrassing himself and his teammates with an egregious flagrant foul on Al Horford with under four minutes to play.
Well JR Smith is going to end up with more flagrant fouls than points tonight after 25 minutes of action. Doesn’t seem ideal
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) May 16, 2018
Smith also got an earful from the crowd in Boston, which peppered him with an obscene chant for quite some time.
Now the Cavaliers are tasked with the difficult job of coming back and winning four out of the next five games if they hope to advance to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year.
Based on the Twitter reactions out there, most fans aren’t optimistic about that prospect.
The Cavaliers should consider hiring a good coach instead of having a bad coach
— Ryan Ginn (@rmginn) May 16, 2018
If these games were decided solely on heart, the Celtics would win easily every time.
— Tony Massarotti (@TonyMassarotti) May 16, 2018
The Cavaliers are so bad. Take Lebron off the floor and they would be picking top 3 in the lottery. I know the answer is Lebron, but how did Toronto get swept by this team collectively?
— Mr. Z (@MisterZee9) May 16, 2018
LeBron gotta score 80 for the Cavs to win by 6 points.
— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) May 16, 2018
Pretty sure I want the cavaliers to lose and this be over with. It’s painful to watch. 4 games against Toronto and you look like you’d compete for the championship… 6 other games so far postseason you look like you should be playing in the D League.
— Cato (Live Music) (@ayyocato) May 16, 2018
Where’s the urgency? #Boston is out-hustling the #Cavs on every possession. They want it more than the Cavaliers.
— Zachary Kelsey (@zacharykelsey91) May 16, 2018
Cavaliers are hot garbage pic.twitter.com/F594Nb2xew
— M.A.K.A.V.E.L.I.®️ (@djmakaveliatl) May 16, 2018
#Cavaliers will lose to #Celtics let's not get surprised. Lebron tore up this Cavs team trying to build a squad on the fly, however there is no true chemistry. Lebron can't carry them all the way. He's still the king, but need better subjects.
— Mr. Distinguished (@BlackGuyRicky) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/_CeeAyeStro/status/996585711573880832
There’s only one area where the Cavs are better than the Celtics. That area is LeBron James.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 16, 2018
That run LeBron has going to the finals…….It’s OVER! #NBAPlayoffs #CLEvsBOS pic.twitter.com/24Kcm6lfPi
— Orlando Alzugaray Jr (@BigOShow) May 16, 2018
1, 2, 3…Cancun! #Cavaliers #NBAPlayoffs #NBA pic.twitter.com/fcQlTO2NKr
— Matt Faust (@Faustmp) May 16, 2018
As the folks on Twitter buried the Cavs’ chances of coming back in this series, many turned their thoughts to where James will end up next. He’s going to be the hottest free agent on the market and will have his pick of suitors.
https://twitter.com/SivuseMbingo/status/996585320773832705
“ Yo LeBron. You free? It’s ur brother Chris Paul. Anyways you need to come down to Houston. Me and James need more help out west “ pic.twitter.com/VC3MqJHBkz
— Mr. November 🏆🏆 (@HtOwNzOuTLaW713) May 16, 2018
Two more Cavs losses away from this… pic.twitter.com/mcoyGIxNCV
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) May 16, 2018