CLEVELAND – Earlier in the playoffs, LeBron James said, “Game 7, I always said are the two greatest words in sports.”
Game 7 it is again for James and the Cleveland Cavaliers who defeated the Boston Celtics 109-99 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday.
The series finale is Sunday in Boston (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and the home team has won every game in this series. But can the Celtics beat James in a Game 7?
James and the Cavs saved their season in an unlikely manner – with Kevin Love sidelined with a head injury following a collision with Boston’s Jayson Tatum in the first quarter, a great performance from Cleveland’s bench and the Celtics shooting over 50% from the field.
Boston faced a difficult task – beating James and the Cavaliers at home with Cleveland’s season on the line in what could have been James’ final game in a Cavs uniform.
James, who didn’t take his first rest until 57.3 seconds remained in the third quarter, didn’t let that happen. He had 46 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals and one block and improved to 13-9 when his team faces elimination in the playoffs. His 46 points are a career-high in an elimination game.
It was also the 26th 40-point playoff game of James' career.
Maybe James’ most important stat: three turnovers. He had committed 29 turnovers in the previous five games.
