By Exxon and mobile. We’re back in Cleveland. Used in an enormous victory over Golden State last night. Meanwhile, the larger the life presence of LeBron James here in downtown Cleveland, they may need a larger than life performance to keep his NBA final streak alive. Starting lineups for tonight’s game. Both coaches remaining with the bigger lineups, and that means Aaron Baines will start up front with Al Horford, Jason Tatum, Jalen Brown and Terry Rozier for head coach Brad Stevens. And for Cleveland, their most successful lineup. Certainly here at home, they’ve played well. George Hill, JR Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson starting at center. Now let’s welcome in for the first time tonight, Doris Burke, ADB. Hey, Mike. Well, there is always such intense scrutiny of the late game execution of an NBA playoff game. But there is some credence to the notion that the NBA is as much a first quarter league as it is a fourth quarter league. And this series gives credence to that notion. The winner of the first quarter went on to win the game. And when I talked to Brad Stevens about it earlier today, he said, if you look at the ultimate outcome, it is not that far removed from what transpired in the first quarter. Consider that the last time the Celtics played here, Mike, they outscored Cleveland in the second, third, and fourth, but simply could not overcome that first quarter deficit. Who gets out? Faster. We’ll see, Mike. And to add to that, Doris, there has not been a single lead change in this entire series in the fourth quarter. Not one. There’s only been one lead change in the entire second half of the series. And for the whole series, all 48 minutes, 11 total league changes. It has been an unbelievable disparity. As much as we’ve seen between teams. Two teams, that is home court and on the road. And how well they play at home and how poorly they played on the road. Average margin of victory in the series, 18 points. Will we get a close one tonight? Will we get a Game 7 on Sunday? Let’s find out. And a wacky tip to start us off. And the Celtics hold on. Celtics, of course, have struggle on the road. 1 and 7 in these playoffs on the road. The only win was Game 3 in Philadelphia. They won. The Cavs have won seven straight here at Quicken Loans Arena. And Terry Rozier, nice move to the basket. Jeff Rozier, one of the guys you talked about at the top, he has struggled on the road, especially shooting the ball. And they’ll need him. But he’s gotten good looks. He’s just gotta put it in. LeBron James kicks it out. Love extra pass to George Hill. Hill chased off the three point Mark. Back up to James, makes the three drives inside. Running shot is good. See the patience on Both sides. Celtics on the first possession in that time. Cavaliers good offense. Oh dear. Back up top Horford. Tatum has that superb game in Game 5 in Boston. Orford’s double team. Good ball movement here from the Celtics. Rozier kicks it out, brown a corner three and the Celtics start 2 for 2. And that’s very interesting. We saw it a couple times in Game 5 where they doubled Al Horford in the post. First post catch they came hard at him. Celtics responded with a 3. Kevin Love short on the 3, rosier of the rebound. And for me, I don’t like the double team of our office. I’ve got to say to Tristan Thompson, you defend him one on one, I don’t wanna break down my defense. We see coaches all the time shorten rotations in these playoffs. Red Stevens basically played seven players in Game 5. Couple of guys got in last minutes when the game was already over. Jaylen Brown misses Kevin Love the rebound. That is outstanding defense. One on one defense by Kevin Love against Jaylen Brown. Tyrone Lou has been pleased with some of the defense here on the whole floors. George Hill knocks down his first shot of the night. Hill had two strong games in this series in Games 3 and 4, but has really struggled in the games in Boston. Galen Brown drives, gets inside and a blocking foul. Brown little slow to get up, he went down hard. Without bracing his fall, he’ll gingerly walk to the free throw line. Kevin Loves upset. Felt like Jalen Brown jumped into him and the video shows it. He came down high. Remember that scary fall he had in March in that game in Minnesota when he went up for the dunk? Missed a bunch of games afterwards. He is one tough kid at 21 years old in his second year in the league. Those are his numbers from Game 5 and again with Gordon Hayward going out. He’s the one that picked up so much responsibility. They all have picked up the contributions. As he hits the second free throw, Brown guarding James Payne of Azan JR Smith. James steps back. That’s a 2 pointer for LeBron. James rebound hauled in by Al Horford. Great gang rebound and gang block out by the Celtics ass inside the veins, deflected. Good transition defense that time from the calves. That’s been an area defensively that they’ve had most of their problems. Hill misses, love misses, loves tip also off the Mark. Hill gets it back and lost it out of bounds. The team that has won the rebounding battle has won all five games. That last possession for the Celtics. That’s something Brad Stevens does not want. Turnovers, which will allow this Cavs team to get it going in transition. Dale and brown jump shot over Kevin Love. Thompson with the rebound. Another good job by love. One on one defense in The contest. Nice ball fake. Oh, George Hill. Freddy play. And he’ll aggressive to start, much like he was in games 3 and 4. 2 for 2 from the field. Hill now matched up their double team round. Rozier contested shot. That won’t go. Giving on another rebound. And JR Smith get going. Such a key for this team. His first shot off the side of the backboard. He has been awful shooting the ball in the three games in Boston. But that’s not how you try to get him off. He’s not an off the dribble shooter. Brown foul. Shots up. Count it. And one. LeBron James trying to say it came before the officials said count the bucket. Go! Brown! A chance for a three point play. Good job moving without the basketball. See the contact. Takes the contact and goes up. Good stop for brown. Now the officials just making sure. There’s only Marcus Morris. He can come in, but he’s coming in for the shooter, so he’ll wait. His ground. Will get the one shot. Free throw. The foul was on JR Smith. That’s his first. And Smith the rebound off the miss. Pace. That’s the word that Tiranlu used before the game. What he wants to see from his team. He thought they played with great pace in Games 3 and four. Thompson across the lane. Lay up, bounces around, won’t go. Tatum the rebound. Tatum up top. Forford. Tatum specs back. His 3 pointer. Too strong will go for his own rebound. Knocked out of bounds by Tristan Thompson. And it’s the Celtics ball as Marcus Morris will now check in. So let me ask you guys, you. You played in and coached in many playoff series and watched in broadcast. Is this as big a disparity in terms of home and road play by both teams as you’ve seen in a while? Or do we just forget how often it happens? Well, just going back to Celtics history when they won in. As Tatum with a nice lip. When they won back in Garnett’s first year, they got hammered in Atlanta in their first round series that went to. Every game was to the home court as love goes down. Tatum. Love is calling for somebody to come in, and he’ll commit the foul to stop it. Love shaking up. So we’ll take a time out as a training step for the capsule. Come out onto the floor, take a look at the replay and see what happened. Came in a crowd and the bottom right. Oh, Tatum from right in. They bump heads. Tatum shaking up as well, but love went down. We’ll check on Kevin Love. And we return. Kevin Love heading back to the Cavaliers locker room after that hard shot when he collided. Heads banging with Jason Tatum again. Here’s the play. Watch Tatum come crashing in. Tatum shaking up as well, but love was down for a minute. Or so. And then very gingerly walking off the court and now back to the locker room. And how that’s not a foul, I don’t understand. Meanwhile, Jeff Green has come on to Kevin Love. The double team on Horford. Foul call on Horford using his left arm to clear some space, so an offensive foul. And I thought last game, Jeff Green did a very good job and established a rhythm. They utilized them on the post and gave them good minutes. James, head of steam, drives right into Baines. Bank shot, misses ball tip to take it by Horford. Jeff to finish up what you were saying. Those Celtics in 2008, they lost their first six row games and were only 3 and 9 on the road, yet still won the championship. As Morris knocks down that jumper. And this Celtic team won in six. They said won in seven earlier, but they played seven row games in just that one victory. Is there a midway point of the first shot? Clock down to five. Greens jump shot, in and out, knocked out of bounds. Last touch by the Celtics. Baines has been outstanding defensively to start the game, guarding the pick and roll a couple times against James. And right there when they scrammed out the smaller Rozier veins. One on one against Green. J R. Smith three pointers. Good. Such a big factor. Come on. Lou saying when he’s hot from downtown, we are very tough. To beat. And he was bad in Boston, but Lou talked about it before the game. JR Smith is the type of guy that I love to have in these situations. He’s proven and not afraid of the moment. All for 11 from three and three games in Boston. 7 for 11 in two plus games here. Blocked by Thompson. Morris gets it back, however, and then a 24 second violation. Terrific defense appreciated by this crowd of Tristan Thompson. Just the extra after plays. This is a dunk in Boston. Tristan Thompson comes over, big time block. And that gets the crowd fired up a little bit more. Scarring James spins a couple of times between two defenders, misses. James takes the rebound away and Rozier brings it in the front court. Rozier drives hard, floats it up and in. Beautiful play from Rozier. His second field goal and a Celtics shooting well from the field to start the game. Hill misses, long rebound comes to Morris. Well, a much better start for Boston here in Cleveland. First two games that they played here. Games 3 and 4, brutal starts as Horford misses rebound James games goes right at Tatum. Euro step banks at home. That’s what I was gonna say. Mike was upset he didn’t get the call a couple plays ago. Put your head down and go through, folks. Force the issue and make a call. Have to be made. That looks back in their heels. When That locomotive comes charging down or gears steps back. You are. They want to get it to Horford with George Hill. The mismatch. Horford turns and shoots. Thompson. Another rebound. Hill on the attack. Harford goes at George Hill. Lamp is good. George Hill with six points in on the first quarter. Another good start at home for the veteran hill. No, Jeff, the furring here by George Hill going right by Horford. Goes off the wrong foot, keeps his body on him. And then James the play before in transition, attacking the goal and finishing. Think it’s pretty, pretty obvious. All of us, everybody, everybody in here knows what we need to do. It’s just about having the boys and the emotional toughness to move on to the next play and do it over and over. Red Stevens has been so impressed with the way his team has performed. You know, these young players, they’re obviously physically talented and skilled, but these young guys have such a great mental makeup. They’re tough, they’re resilient, they’re smart. Steven so proud of the way the team has performed under the playoff pressure. Marcus Smart, though, just in the game. Turns it over. That’s four turnovers for the Celtics. Jeff Green drives. Stolen. Nice play from Al Horford. Horse slides it down as far, looking to post. Uphill. Mark turns, looks for the bank shot, gets it to go. His first shot goes in, and the Celtics back up by three. He’s Had success in this series posting up for small and cavalier gods horizon. James Kyle Korver is come on while we’re playing just 19 minutes in Game 5. He’s been a big barometer on how well the cats do. James gets inside, misses, gets his own rebound and a quick follow. They’re letting them play down low. I thought that was good defense by Morris. Good reaction by James on the follow, made him picked up by James. Smart cuts to the basket, over the shoulder. Brown open three. Got it! What a beautiful pass from Marcus Smart. Outstanding vision and playmaking. Mendezfeed Corver first shot goes in. A 3 pointer for Kyle Corver. I like the decision by Tai Lu. Going to call the early in this game. This is presence on the floor. He’s a threat at all times. Tatum against Jeff Green back to smart, smart inside, Horford Jr. Spits on him this match there. Green comes for the double, Horford finds the cutting brown. That’s a great cut by brown and good poise by Al. Horford against the late double team. Horford one of the best passing big man in the league. He’s had a couple of seasons where he’s averaged playing basically the center position over five assists a game. He’s got three already tonight. Shot clock at 8. James just physically overwhelming Tatum there. But that’s what he’s gotta do. He’s gotta be aggressive and don’t worry about if you don’t get every call. Be aggressive and force the issue. Good things will happen for the cast. They force a switch to get Tatum on him and he punishes him. James as Tatum will now switch with some substitutions. Veins coming in. James in 21 career elimination games is averaging thirty three and a/2 points per game. Meanwhile, in the home games this year in the playoffs, and it’s eight games, he’s averaging 37 again and shooting 60% from the field. He has been virtually unstoppable here at Cretin Loans Arena. Drives in, hop step, lay up. Makes it look easy. The coach. You can see they like the matchup of forcing Tatum to defend James. Corver Brown spins on him, goes right at Jeff Green. Top move from Jalen Brown. They’re living in the paint right now. Both teams scoring a lot. James certainly for Cleveland. Of the Celtics 14 of their 23 points in the bank. Low scoring first quarter. Corver again and Baines grabs the board. About a two and a half second different shot clock in game clock. And do they take LeBron James out at the end of the quarter with no love? Or does he have to play straight through so they have enough offense? Jalen Brown 6 to shoot jump shot. That’s good. Jalen Brown, what a start for him. Just like in Games 1 and 2, a big first quarter. He’s got 15 points. Outstanding start for him and the Celtics. Celtics do not have a foul to give. Here James kicks it out. JR Smith a good open look. Won’t go. And the first quarter comes to an end story for the Boston Celtics. Jalen Brown 15 points on 6 and 8 from the field. James a good start, but Kevin Love still back in the locker room. Welcome back to the Eastern Conference Finals presented by exxonimilville with Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Brad, how different is the feel in the approach when you’ve been able to have that start? Well, the approach is really good. Um, you know, I thought offensively we did a really good job in that quarter. We have to keep doing that, playing with boys. Defensively, we’re gonna have to make it as hard on LeBron as possible. He’s going to the rim tonight. What did you think of Jalen Brown start? He’s been really good, but he also has made some real good plays with boys that won’t go in the box score. And I think he’s let the game come to him a little bit. With a slam. A well designed play out of the. Out of the brake, using power Corvette as a decoy. And shot will go. Morris tips it with Jordan. Clarkson picks it up. Larry Nance in as well. So James the only starter out there. Clarkson finds the elbow. Jump shot, misses a rebound. Brown and Kevin Love still not back on the bench. You wonder in this situation, Will LeBron James go the entire game? Especially after what we saw in Game 5. Marcus Smart high arcing shot. Smart 2 for 2 off the bench. But Michael, I’m LeBron James. I’m telling Tyrone, I don’t need a brief. This is for my playoff light. I wanna stay in and find a way to will my team to victory. Green, look at a post up. Green aggressive as well. That shot rolls off the rim. Fight for the rebound. Knock loose, and it’s gonna be Cavs ball. Last touch by veins. Orford and Tatum on the bench right now. And Boston’s going to their zone trap on this sideline. Out of bounds because it’s so low. Clarkson. Clarkson not hesitant, looking for a shot, misses that, and Nance comes flying in and throws it down. That’s one of the problems with the zone initial shot. Defense was outstanding. Nobody on Nance. Easy finish. Nance is given Jeron Lewis some good minutes. Marcus Smart soft touch and hits the 3 pointer. Smart now 3 for 3 from the field. And lead back up to six, equaling the largest. Green gets free inside and the foul. James with another pinpoint pass. And Jeff Green aggressively attacking the rim. Brad Stevens calls over Marcus Martin. Tell, that’s two times you missed the assignment. Something’s gotta be much better. This is off of a made basket, coach. Well, there’s a switch miscommunication. And the one that Brad’s referring to before that was the first play of the quarter where green Got the lob dunk off a nice little back screen by Corver. Green only averaging five and a/2 points a game in this series that comes off the bench. Has five points in nine minutes here to start Game 6. Celtic shooting 62%, halves 39% yet the lead is only three. Corbett chips of the James Corver fight some room. Quick release that won’t go on and Baines able to corral the rebound. Got a good look though. You live with that. A few of the calves. Well, we’ve seen teams in the last couple of days win games. As Morris launches a 3 that won’t go with poor shooting. Celtics won Game 5 shooting 36%. The rockets last night. They won their Game 5 shooting 37%. The last couple Warrior Games as James gets fouled have been hotly contested with incredible intensity and poorly played. And a lot of miss shots. A lot of sloppy play and a lot of bad possessions where it just evolved into taking a really difficult shot against excellent defenses. James is the first. Well, speaking of that series, our national TV schedule tomorrow night. TNT Game six back in Oakland. They on TNT tip off shortly after 9 Eastern. If there’s a Game 7 on this one, it’ll be Sunday night on ESPN. Rockets winning last couple of games with their defense. I mean to hold that Golden State team to under 102 straight games. Rozier good wide open look. Terry Rozier shooting the ball Beautifully here on the road. He’s 3 for 4 and the Celtics are 4 of 10 from downtown. Huge difference Celtics in their performances from Games 3 and 4. Clarkson, nice move. I like the way that both teams are competing to start this. This ball game. It’s been a very well played, hardcore game. Brown lost it, but it finds its way to Baines. They try and strip Baines at a held ball. Good hands defensively from Cleveland. First from Clarkson helping out on Corver. The well timed double team by Clarkson to initially knock it away. And this jump ball should be with Corver. And it is. But that’s outstanding team defense. You gotta sell to realize that if you get the basketballs. 10 seconds on the shot clock. Corbett wins the tip. Great anticipation and the crowd gets on its feet. Green has Rozier on him. Tough match up for Rozier. Green takes him in the post. Here’s the double team back out. James open three. That’s good. And the Cavs take the lead, their first lead of the night. Offensive foul! I can’t say enough about the minutes that Jeff Green has given Tyrone. His casting in the absence of Kevin Love. Offensively, defensively, timely plays is nothing like believing in a veteran and them coming through. It’s been an up and down season for green. His first year in Cleveland. They signed him as a free agent. The caps, his sixth NBA team, played A lot of his career in Boston. Four and a half seasons with the Celtics. Here’s that mismatch with James being guarded by Rozier. James can’t get it to go. Fight for the rebound. Clarkson’s tip, wooden and Baines grabbed it. Celtics looking to push smart. No hesitation, way off. Horford gets it off the tip and then Corver strips. Horford Parks in the head, James Degrin, they block. Now smart picks up the personal and Jeff Green will go to the free throw line. Smart looks over at his bench and says, my fault. He’s not talking about the foul. He’s talking about the quick trigger on the shot. If you make that shot, you clap as a coach and say, great shot, but, you know, as a recipe for disaster. To beat this Cavs team in this building. That’s not the offense you’re looking for. And that fast break was well executed. On target passes and running for a layup first when you have numbers advantages. How many times have we seen in these playoffs? Two on ones in the Houston series, instead of taking the two on one and getting a 95% shot as a layup, somebody veers out to the 3 point line and either they don’t get a shot or they take a 3. Fast break execution in these playoffs has been less than stellar. That was outstanding by Cleveland. 3 with another free throw. Again, Kevin Love still back in the locker room. And I like Ty Lou. As a coach, you gotta have a blind spot. LeBron James while they’re shooting the free throwers. Buckled over, hole in his shorts. I wouldn’t even look at him. You’re good. Rozier finds pains. Pains have been shooting threes, normally from the corner. That one misses. Here come the calves. James sets, trying to give it go. Well defended. Nance though, turns and hits a 14 3 run by the Cavaliers and it’s a five point lead. Looking to post up Jalen Brown against Kyle Corman. Brown drives on him, gets inside left handed, blocked by green. Here comes James. James drives and draws the foul as he goes crashing to the court. And we’ll have a timeout. What a turnaround here on the second quarter on 11 point turnaround. Proud of appreciating the defense. Kyle Corbett battling green, not leaving his teammate all by himself. Says not on my watch. And LeBron James, full head of steam, in attack mode, with his foot on the gas pedal, going to the free throw line. Cavaliers up five. Welcome back to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals, where Kevin loves, since the 6:58 Mark and that collision with Jason Tatum, has been off the floor for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had to be helped off the floor by Stephen Spiro, their athletic trainer, and George Hill. And about 10 minutes ago, GM Kobe Altman walked back to his seat and has been there since. The only Thing he would tell me, Mike, when he walked by was simply that Kevin Love remains in the locker room under evaluation. I’ll have more when I can get it, Mike. Thank you, Doris. Now, love was in the concussion protocol. Got hit in the head back in March. March 27th against Miami Heat. And he missed one game. So we’ll wait to see soon as Doris gets an update. You know, our Corver has some blood that they’ll taking care before we get back to the free throw line here. That’s why it’s so important to stay ready. Be ready and stay ready, because you never know what will take place in these games. Mike and Jeff Green again now, a big role would love back there. Green big help off the bench. He’s a guy that has scored in his career four different times. He’s average 15 points per game or more. As James hits the free throw. 14 points, five assists for James, though. He’s been on the attack, but also getting his teammates involved. Oh, Cavaliers didn’t take a free throw in the first quarter. There’s 7 for 7 here in the second and have a seven point lead. Smart, Tatum, Forford, Brown, and Rozier. Good ball denial from Nance. They go over the top. Double team, bad pass. And that’s the seventh turnover by the Celtics, only one for the Cavaliers, and they’re only averaging 10 per game. It’s the turnovers of the Cavaliers that have Come up, particularly LeBron James. So big turnaround. Corbett. The fake. That’s a two pointer for Corbett. James could not quite handle it. Off the backboard. Corbin misses that badly. You think maybe it was a pass? Those brown fakes. Double team. Close to a travel. Oh, dear. Back out. Smart not gonna take a three. Drives and foul. Reaching on Clarkson. One thing the calves are doing a better job of coach tonight. The second and third guy is getting into the pitcher. It’s a different defensive team tonight. Well, it’s been a different defensive team, especially here at home. But Mark’s right. I think their activity level and I think it was a travel, so their activity level should have forced, I believe, another turnover. Free throw from smart. No good. You gotta be locked in defensively. Over does his job. Clarkson does his job. Green comes over and help again. Clarkson gets into the pitcher. Pretty good defense. Smart hits the second. You see that bandage on Marcus Smart’s right thumb? He had thumb surgery back in March. This the end of the regular season. In the first four games at a playoffs. Harford on an island right now with James. James measures now steps back. Jump shots. Good. 17 for James. The lead is eight. That’s inside. Stolen by Nance. Another turnover. Clarkson fakes. Drives left. It’s good. Brad Stevens upset calls time out. The Cavalier bench with 18 of their 44 points, helping provide a Spark and a 10 point lead. Well, the steal by Larry Nance off the little chin cut. Good recognition. And then a good execution of a fast break. If they’re gonna fan out to take Corver’s three away, take a lay up, which they did. And then one on one, James versus Orford. The step back and the lethal mid range Jay. Aerial coverage provided by Goodyear. Celebrating blimp were the athletes who show hard work, determination and grit. Goodyear for driven Cavaliers on a 20 to 4 run. Celtics have scored just one point the last four minutes, and it’s the bench that’s been a big part of the spark. Morris misses. James rips down the rebound. It’s been James and these four bench players. Green hesitated now with Rosier on them, looking to post up. Green backs in, lost the handle, picked up by Morris. Only the second turn of a. Morris side steps, but then throws up a wild shot. James drives, stripped and stolen. Rozier got a hand on it first. Rozier ahead to Tatum. Rozier for three. Terry Rozier shooting well now four or five from the field. One of the hardest decisions for a coach is when has your bench unit run its course? They played outstanding basketball last two possessions. Turnover prone. Oh, freestylers. Just get off the bench. They’re gonna check in. But green, Clarkson, Corver announced have been exceptional. Green across the lane, floats it up and in. Jeff Green with Nine points in 14 minutes. I agree with coach. That’s why I would sprinkle in my starters. I don’t think I’d make wholesale changes, but sprinkle them in. Just still getting it done defensively. Horace drives on Corver and goes down hard. Shot block, but a foul. And Marcus Morris will shoot two free throws with 3:23 remaining. Cavaliers saying it wasn’t any contact on his drive by for Mars. But before that, we take a look at the Jeff Green ISO clock dwindling down. Doesn’t surrender. And on the other end, clearly a little shove in the back. That’s the right call. I love the energy, the effort, and the attention to detail by the calves. And coach, you know, we go over these plays that the opposition run. It’s not just my responsibility to know the action. It’s everybody’s responsibility. I’m watching Kendrick Perkins on the sidelines. I’m watching the calves bench. They are locked in in what the Celtics are trying to do. Absolutely. If I’m the Celtics right now and up, I’m Jason Tatum. I’m talking to myself. How is it that I am so energized in Game 5 and here you played 14 minutes and you are your best individual offensive talent on your team. You’ve only found a way to get two shots. That’s a team responsibility, and that’s a Tatum responsibility. Morris 1 for 2. Celtics just 3 of 7 from the free throw line. And only 38 points were just over three To play here in the first half. Jayden guarding James. Shot clock out of seven. James drive, spins, turns, shot is up, won’t go. Rebound. Tristan Thompson back out. James corner 3, puts it in. Tristan Thompson gets another possession and James takes advantage. He’s got 20 here on the first half. Jalen Brown. After that hot start. Brown and Rozier. They got 25 of the 38 points by the Celtics. Horace thought he was fouling in. Knocked out of bounds. 3.3 to shoot. Well, good spin out lob. It looks like a good strip by Corver. I like Corver’s instincts away from the ball. There’s been a lot that’s been thrown away. That he was coming as the first man in. Help. They throw it up top to Horford. Horford’s gonna have to put it up. Does a 3 pointer. Well, short. James gets a running start. Here comes James, kicks it out. Corver, they are Smith hands off. Tatum once again matched up with LeBron. James offered. Looking to help. James tough follow. A shot well off. And a 24 second violation. Hill did not get it off in time, even if it went in. And I believe James is calling for arrest right now. So he’s played basically the first 14 minutes. We’ve got the Toyota Halftime coming up. LeBron James in the calves, and their bench aggressive. Michelle, Jalen, Chauncey, and Paul will talk about it. As will take a time out. James playing the first 22 minutes of the first half. By the way, take a break. On Sunday, two of auto racing’s greatest events on ESPN and ABC. First at 905:00am on ESPN, the Grand Prix of Monaco. The ABC brings you the Indianapolis 500, with pre race coverage at 11:00am and the green flag dropping shortly afternoon eastern. I’ve always wanted to go to Monaco. Am I you? Yes. Quite frankly, I’d like to cover that race. You’ve been to the Indy 500, correct? Yes. Tatum too strong. Tatum just wanted free. His two points in 17 minutes. Oh, dear. Once again, matched up with James Tatum. Knocks it out of his hands. And they’re gonna call a foul on Tatum. That’ll be their fifth. Mike Callahan lets the rookie express a little emotion. You know, I like that. I mean, he was a foul. He got him right across the arm. But it’s good restraint to not hit him with a technical foul right there. Absolutely. Especially because he jumped up. He didn’t cuss me out, he didn’t disrespect me. Jumped up, and it was a reaction. But you know what I like better? I like what Tyrell did. LeBron wanted a breather. Oh, I’m gonna burn the time out. I’ll give you a breather. Rather than take you out and risk my playoff life. I’ll get a timeout and get you proper rest. Well, he’s gonna wind up playing the entire first half. He played the whole first half in Game 7 against Indianapolis. And gets the Indiana Pacers. That’s the game. He had 45 points. They were facing elimination against the Pacers in the first round. Minute and a half remaining. 49 38. Rozier off the Mark. Celtics with just 13 points here in the second quarter. James for 3. These 3 for 3 from downtown. 23 points, and it’s a 14 point lead. Roger after Brown. Brown’s jump shot. That’s good. 17 points for brown. His first two of the second quarter. Gains again. And a loose ball. Foul is gonna go against Tristan Thompson. That’s his first. James missed two free throws, but the balls advanced to him on the next possession. And absolutely zero hesitation to load, lift and drain the three. Tatum drives, tries to draw foul. Lost it out of bounds. They are. Smith stayed with him. On a rough first half for Jason Tatum. Meanwhile, Tatum has just two points. Al Horford, 0 4, 4, has not scored. James has taken on him once again. Drives the runner off the glass. Banks at home. 25 first half points. We were tough on LeBron the other night, rightfully so. Had not seen him that tired in his entire career. But he has put his skills on full display tonight. Dot clock is off. No fouls to give Terry Rozier a 3 pointer. Puts it in. Rozier keeping the Celtics close. 2.6 remaining. James nearly stolen by smart. Throws to the green. Up at the buzzer. And that will end the first half. LeBron James plays the entire first half as his team faces elimination and explodes for 25 points. We’ve seen this shot before. Going left off balance. It’s late, but the bank is still open. What a performance by James in that first half. Cavaliers outscore the Celtics 34 18 in the second quarter. They’re gonna have time coming up after these messages. Mike, you look at it. Boston is outshot Cleveland. They’ve made more threes in Cleveland. The difference? The free throw line, the rebound game and the turnover game. Well, the only other elimination game that the calves had this year was Game 7 against Indiana. As hill is fouled. It was the exact same half time score. The calves LED the Pacers here at Quicken Loans Arena 54 43. And James also had a dominant first half at 26 in that victory against the Pacers that got them to the second round. The crazy thing is, he’s been great for a long time. Pressure was on him from Day one. Think about it. Jason Tatum, we raved about him. He has not shown up in this ball game. Can you imagine that was LeBron James at 21 years old? We would be hammer him right now. Let’s check in with doors Burke. Well, talk to Brad Stevens, who said it’s sort of the same old story for us. There are times where our offense just isn’t very good. He said, where LeBron James is concerned. He just decided to put his head down and drive. There were times he didn’t think they were awful in isolation. He said. He’s just so tough to cover. Mike. And this Doris. This was a different scenario than Games 3 and 4. They started well. The Celtics actually LED by five after the first quarter. But it was the second quarter. The James and the Cavs destroyed them. Hill off the steel drives. Lay up is good. George Hill with double figures each got 10. Like it was Cleveland bench that responded. They were terrific. Jeff Green, Larry Nance, Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Corver. Those four. A big part of it is Horford gets his first points of the night. Neither center nor power forward scored in the first half tonight. George Hill guarded by Rosier. James gets it. Brown picks him up, draws the foul. Shot won’t go. Brown with his first foul. George Hill again with another quality game. Doing on a defensive end and offensively making timely hoops. He’s made the adjustment to welcome site for Tyrone the Cavs. George Hill in the three road games in Boston at 15 total points. In the two home games prior to tonight, 26. So add 10 more, 36. He’s 4 of 7 from the field. Couple assists, couple of rebounds. But that variation, Mike, it. It’s inexplicable, especially for veteran college kids. Maybe pros. Veterans. Veterans who’s played in a lot of big playoff games. Several Eastern Conference finals with the Indiana Pacers. But it’s not just him. There’s so many in this series. Rosier’s jump shot is good. Rosier has been one who has really struggled on the road, but he’s 6 of 8 from the field. He’s got 15 points. Hill Jeff Green getting the second half start with Kevin Love out. Hill back up top to Green, Green high arcing three. That won’t go. Horford with rebound. And James and brown push and shove each other. George Hill and Derek Stafford get between them. It’s just a conversation right now. LeBron is telling Jalen Brown, whatever took place, I didn’t mean to do it. It wasn’t intentional. Settle down. That’s just good NBA pushing and shouting there. That’s. That’s beyond nothing. That was a blockout. If I was on. James is first. That’s one of the things about these. These young Celtics. They. They don’t back down from anybody. Rozier 3 pointer. And he’ll let it go out of bounds. I tell you what, though, the Celtics have taken a lot of bad shots early in the shot clock. Out of character, in my opinion. Hill drives, reach in, foul. Shot won’t go. And that’s gonna be Brown’s second personal. Too many fouls in. In the shooting motion to start this quarter. And. And it’s not with the Celtics. It’s not like they’re just struggling offensively on the road. Their defense, not nearly as good as we’ve seen at the TD Garden. It’s at both ends of the floor. Well, our national TV schedule tomorrow night on TNT. Game six of the Western Conference Finals. They’re back in Oakland. The Warriors facing elimination. Chris Paul will not play after hurting his hamstring in Game 5. Sunday, ESPN, if there’s a Game 7 in this series, will have it for you tip off shortly after 8:30, as that series will ship back to Boston. And the NBA final start next Thursday. It’ll start in either Houston or Golden State. 12 points for George Hill. Ball poked away from JR Smith. Tatum has it, and we’re gonna call a loose ball foul on JR Smith, who kinda dived under Tatum. That’s a good call to me. And good effort by JR Smith. It’s both. He got a poke at the ball, it’s loose. He’s first to the floor, but he cuts the legs out of Tatum. I disagree. That’s outstanding hustle by JR Smith. That’s wanting the basketball more than Tatum at that particular moment. I agree. It’s great hustle, and it’s also a foul. Two fouls on Smith. If Charlie Ward did that, you would not be saying that’s a foul on him. There’s absolutely no doubt about that. James ahead to green, released up. This is the layup. But Rozier hit him on the arm as Jeff Green takes the tumble. And he’ll go to the free throw line. Green nine points off the bench. We got nine from Green, Corver, Clarkson, Nance all scoring as well. And Brad Stevens, what’s his No. 1 thing he talks about before every game? Their half court defense has been good, but they have to get back in transition. Right there. That’s not even a LeBron James assault on the rim. It’s just a rebound, outlet, advanced pass and a foul. You see Jeff Green go up, pull the lane, shoot you with the right hand and take a look at LeBron James. Pulls over to him and says, take that with the left hand. You know what I’ll do? Don’t do that. I got this. I know that because I never saw you take a left hand shot in your entire NBA career. That’s not true. I took one in 17 years and it was off of a dare from you as my head coach. Did it go in? It went in. It was real fun. Left hand. I’m shooting 1,000% in 17 years left handed. One for one. Green with 11 points. And you should it. Could have wrote a poem about eye contact after I made that shot. Mike whistle of our JR Smith. Well, the hustle is there, but another foul. The ball hasn’t gone any. Shooting 23% disturbed. But he has, as has the team, negated Tatum so far. That’s why at the end of the day, if he continues this, you can look at him and say, you’ve done your job tonight. Largest lead of the game. Tatum takes And travels. 10th turnover for the Boston Celtics. The turnovers rarely hurt them in that first half. I got him out of character. Clearly travels. The right call. James. And a moving screen call on Thompson. That basket will not count. Second foul on Thompson and he didn’t have to move. Marcus Morris was going underneath no matter what. James had plenty of airspace. Doing too much. You don’t have to turn like that. He, the screener has to give the man going under time and space to change direction. Tatum drives on JR Smith stumbles a bit, somehow gathers himself and lays it up and in. Tatum with just his second field goal. They did their leading score during the playoffs. Brown leads in the scoring in this series. George Hill can’t get to the fall. Horford with his seventh rebound. The Cavaliers transition defense has been excellent. No fast break points for the Celtics. Rozier up top to Horford. Horford puts it on the floor. Back up top. Rozier Mark is smart. Shot clock winding down. Stolen by Hill. Hill to James. James a finish. Banks at home. Another nice play from George Hill. Rozier blocked by green. Or should be. James running behind and rejects it out of bounds. The chase down block. How many times have we seen this movie? LeBron James coming from behind saying get that shot out of here. Kayden makes his move, drives. Blocked by Thompson. James kicks it out. Corner. JR Smith 16 point Cleveland lead. Rozier stumbling a bit or back to smart up top. Rozier he takes it, tries to throw it down and this is smart kicks it out to Tatum. Tatum with a corner three and Tatum with his first 3 pointer. And Toronto calls time out. The defense of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been superb. I haven’t had to say that many times this year, but they lead by thirteen. The NBA Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN presented by Exxonimobil. Synergy Fuels is brought to you by Verizon, the most awarded network ever. And Solo, A Star Wars Story, now playing everywhere. Get tickets now! Tremendous intensity tonight to protect their basket. LeBron James, then Tristan Thompson on Jason Tatum, and finally Jeff Green preventing the dunk by Rozier. Excellent energy, intensity. Look at those defensive numbers. Five of those nine blocks have come here in this third period. They were the 29th rated defense, 29 out of 30 teams in the NBA during the regular season and have had some awful defensive performances in the playoffs as James nails that one. But they are dominating with their defense here in Game 6 to keep their season alive. That’s good defense by Marcus Morris. That’s just greatness from LeBron James. Offense. James with 30 points. Forford spins away and the foul came before the shot. It’s gonna go against Jeff Green. LeBron on the ISO, takes a look at the clock, recognizes his dwindling down stairs. His guy down. It’s good defense by Mars. Contains him. Hand up. So what? 11 of 19 from the field. Not only the 30 points, six boards, five assists. Morris wants it against green. Shot clock winding down. Two on the 24. Morris foul. And green picks up his second personal. And here in this Eastern Conference final, the home team has won all five games. But the script on this one was a little different. Celtics started well, LED by as many as six in that first quarter. And then a dominant second period LED by LeBron James in the Cavs bench. Another miss. Free throw. Meanwhile, the Junior NBA World Championship is the NBA’s first ever global youth basketball tournament for elite 13 and 14 year old boys and girls. The teams from around the world. US regional tournaments tip off in may, winning teams advancing to compete at ESPN Wild World Sports Complex in August. To learn more, visit junior NBA dot com, slash world Championship as the lead is now 14. Remember when you were 13 or 14, you used to play the other kids from the other school down the street? Not the world championships. Wow. James to Thompson. Kristen Thompson, his first bucket. It’s back up to 16. I played down the street. You played in your backyard. Oh my god! Orford back