WHAT HAPPENED?
The Celtics lost Game 4, 111-102, as the Cavaliers evened the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece. For Celtics fans, it was perhaps the most infuriating type of game to watch. The Celtics played poorly, fell behind by 19, but kept the deficit around 10 to 13 points for much of the game. It was close to close basically the whole way. The C's even cut it to seven in the fourth quarter, but it was never close enough to believe in and it was never out of hand enough to accept a loss.
Boston actually outscored Cleveland in each of the last three quarters and Jaylen Brown finished with 25 points, but the damage was done in the first. Cleveland held a 34-18 lead after the opening quarter and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way.
WAS THERE ANY BASIC THING THE CELTICS STRUGGLED TO DO FOR SOME REASON?
Why yes. They couldn't make layups or dunks. Between missed attempts and blocked attempts, the Celtics left at least 18 points on the table on potential layups and dunks. Awful.
LEBRON VS. JAYSON TATUM CONN SMYTHE WATCH
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LeBron was a monster with a series-high 44 points. Tatum had as unremarkable a 17-point game as one could have. He tied Semi Ojeleye with a game-worst minus-14.
JORDAN VS. KYLE KORVER G.O.A.T. WATCH
Yeah, LeBron wasn't alone. Kyle freaking Korver was dominant at points, scoring 14 points with three blocks.
WORST MOMENT OF MY LIFE OF THE GAME
Marcus Morris hit a three-pointer early in the third quarter that would have made it a 10-point game, but it was called an offensive foul because he kept his leg out and Kevin Love fell over it.
BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE OF THE GAME
With the Celtics still down 13 with 10:23 left, Jeff Green grabbed an offensive rebound, then got called for traveling. The game was still on the verge of being a blowout, but it wasn't a blowout because Jeff Green always messes up.
HOW MUCH DID THE CELTICS MISS KYRIE?
Didn't want to have to use this one at all this series. I've used it twice.
HOW MUCH DID THE CAVALIERS MISS KYRIE?
Eh, George Hill had 13 points but he still kind of stinks. If that team had Kyrie, this game would have been over for good halfway through the second quarter.
WHICH KEVIN LOVE WAS KEVIN LOVE?
The one who reeeeeaaally sold that trip from Marcus Morris in the third quarter.
UPDATED SERIES PREDICTION
Celtics in 7.