NBA Playoffs 2018 Conference Finals Live: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics

Again, as a Boston Celtics fan, it was a great pleasure watching a group of young studs come together to beat the superstar that is LeBron James. The Cavaliers' system is essentially LeBron or bust, and it was LeBron AND bust for this game as the Celtics came back from an anemic first quarter to earn a hard-fought victory at home. So this is me, Amulya Shekhar, signing off from the live feed now. Have a good time until game 3 on Sunday by IST and Saturday by ET.

MOOD. IN. BOSTON. #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/ggKDTqbXtN
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

The last time LeBron James was down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference playoffs was also against the Boston Celtics, back in 2008. The Cs went on to win the ring that year over the Lakers in 6 games.

The Celtics have displayed character in the manner that they've held off a spirited charge from LeBron, who ends up on the losing side despite getting a 40-point triple-double. They now lead 2-0 in the series, and are a perfect 9-0 at home during the postseason.

It's garbage time now as Abdel Nader, Yabusele and Ojeleye are inserted into the lineup. Rozier commits an intentional 24-second violation as the game ends at 107-94.

Terry Rozier lays it in for two!#CUsRise 105 | #WhateverItTakes 91

1:20 to play on @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/E37emmbrRE
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

LeBron James protects the paint!#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/XDzWsGnZ2A
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

The Celtics use up the whole of the shot clock on the final possession, as LeBron is pulled from the game. Rozier hoists a 3-pointer that doesn't go in.

#TripleDoubleAlert

LeBron James notches his 3rd triple-double of the #NBAPlayoffs with 40 PTS, 12 AST, 10 REB!#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/PJe6JKdNgc
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/QjJSd8Ss9K
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 16, 2018

Horford has been immense in this quarter. He dishes to Rozier, who is unmarked and converts an easy layup to make it 105-91 after LeBron lays it in on the other end. Ty Lue calls a timeout with 1:48 left in the 4th quarter.

Horford has a foot on the line, but he knocks down the long 2 to make it 103-89.

Tristan Thompson is called for an offensive foul at the other end.

Brown plays the passing lane and steals a pass intended for James. James gets a block on Rozier in a 2-on-1 situation, and the Celtics are unable to convert on the play.

Horford misses the free throw.

Horford posts up Kevin Love and gets the and-1 call after making his layup. The score is now 101-89.

Horford knocks down both of his free throws and the Celtics keep the ball.

A flagrant 1 is called against JR, and a double technical on Smart and JR.

JR Smith pushes Al Horford in the air, he's been trash all night and now he's lost his cool as he shoves Marcus Smart twice who's trying to jaw at him.

Horford makes both free throws to make it 97-89.

James picked up his 3rd personal foul for a shove on Horford as Cleveland go into the penalty for the remainder of the game.

LeBron knocks it down for 40 PTS on the night!@cavs cut it to 6 with 4:41 to play on @ESPNNBA #WhateverItTakes 89 | #CUsRise 95 pic.twitter.com/BdnMpGIeK9
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

The Celtics call their 4th timeout of the game with the score 89-95 in their favour. 4:41 left in the 4th quarter.

James converts the and-1 free throw to make it 89-95. Horford misses at the other end, and James capitalizes with a mid-range jumper at the other end.

LBJ drives in for the smooth reverse!#WhateverItTakes @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/6LcSHHKxge
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

Jaylen Brown muscles Kyle Korver in the post, makes a shot, misses it but makes the tip-in to get the score up to 95-86. James lays it up and in over Marcus Morris, while collecting the and-1.

Marcus Smart converts off an offensive rebound to make it 93-82, before Love dunks it off a backdoor cut to make it a 9-point game again.

LeBron tries a deep 3 and misses woefully. Morris misses from 2 feet at the other end, while Jeff Green converts a layup in transition to make it 82-91.

A loose ball foul is called on Marcus Morris as he tries to contest Tristan Thompson for a rebound.

Smart gets fouled on a layup attempt, and he makes both his free throws to take the score to 91-80.

My prediction is I’m home on the couch watching and wishing i was playing. Like every other NBA player that’s not in this game. https://t.co/LBl5zcAE1p
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 16, 2018

#TripleDoubleWatch

35 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB for LeBron James with 8:21 left in the 4th!#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/pcgn7vdJVv
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

In an incredible sequence of events, Smart steals the ball from Green but Celtics miss their 2 ensuing shots, one off an offensive rebound. The Cavs miss a shot in a 4-on-5 situation as Brown stays down after a hard screen by Kevin Love. Brown converts 2 free throws after he is fouled by Love in transition.

James shakes off Monroe, who fouls him for the and-1 free throw on James' layup attempt. These are the first Cavaliers points in 4-and-a-half minutes.

Horford and Jaylen Brown set to check into this game for Monroe and Ojeleye.

Yea i know. That’s the lil bro https://t.co/RCUOqv2o3c
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 16, 2018

James misses a shot from the elbow region.

LeBron is called for a foul on the entry pass to Monroe from Smart.

Smart misses a mid-range shot on one end, and Hill misses a corner 3 on the other.

Marcus Smart is called for a foul on the entry pass to Nance from Hill. Hill misses the 3-point shot on the inbounds play.

What a finish! pic.twitter.com/6q40doncKf
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 16, 2018

Bron is gonna have to go Bron https://t.co/k651R8BdBl
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 16, 2018

Tristan Thompson MIC'D UP for the @cavs on @ESPNNBA!#WhateverItTakes #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hZ1aXje2kQ
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

Terry Rozier pours in 14 3rd quarter points in Game 2! #CUsRise #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/0A4S0dCmhC
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

Smart dishes out another lovely assist to Greg Monroe, who makes no mistake this time around. Ty Lue has once again called for time, and he now has only 2 remaining for the rest of the quarter. The Celtics lead 88-77 with 11:14 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Ojeleye converts both his attempts to make it 86-77. Korver misses a 3-pointer on great defense by Marcus Smart.

Smart effects another steal at the start of the 4th quarter, and Ojeleye is fouled on the transition layup attempt by LeBron James.

#CUsRise #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ZAHtAkYObO
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018

Terry Rozier fires from 3-point land!

He scores 14 in Q3 to put the @celtics on top.#CUsRise 84 | #WhateverItTakes 77

We head to the 4th on @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/EYdthkpbRz
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2018