Celtics Can’t Hold 16 Point Lead, Fall 112-99 To Cleveland in Game 4

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 42 points PHOTO: Erik Drost/Flickr

The Boston Celtics held a 16 point lead in the second quarter and a 10 point lead at the half, but were outscored 40-23 in the third quarter en route to a 112-99 game four loss to Cleveland on Tuesday night.

Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 42 points as they take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

The series now shifts to Boston for game 5 on Thursday night.

Celtics Can’t Hold on

After leading 49-33 with 5:30 to play in the second quarter the Boston Celtics were unable to take advantage of LeBron James sitting on the bench with four fouls.

James was on the bench for the final six minutes of the half and instead of extending their lead, the Celtics saw Cleveland go on a 14-7 in the final five minutes to cut Boston’s lead to ten, 57-47 at the half.

In the third, Irving took over, scoring 21 points in the quarter on 9 field goals.

The Cavaliers took the lead for the first time since the first quarter after James made two free throws to put Cleveland up 73-72 with 3:15 to play in the quarter.

The free throws came in the middle of a 9-1 Cleveland run that gave them a 77-72 after an Irving jumper went down with 1:49 to play.

After trailing by as much as ten, 98-88, early in the fourth quarter, the Celtics would get back within six, 103-97, with 4:20 to play in the game.

However, Boston would only score two points the rest of the way as Cleveland would close the game on a 9-2 run to win the game 112-109.

Game 5 is set for Thursday at TD Garden in Boston.

Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m.