The first half concluded with the Celtics extending their lead to 15 points!
As the third quarter began, James was ready to make his move, aiming to shrink the deficit back to single digits. However, his four attempts all missed the mark.
He Xi Meng seized the opportunity, breaking through and dishing out passes three times. Twice, the ball found its way to Yao Ming under the basket, and once, it was passed to Carter, who cut in.
Yao Ming scored 4 points with a one-armed slam after a turn-around in the paint and a hook shot after a reverse spin!
Carter, finally finding an opening near the Cavaliers' basket, soared into the air before Zydrunas could recover, igniting the entire North Garden Arena with a tomahawk dunk!
He Xi Meng played the "kick him while he's down" trick with masterful skill!
The Little Emperor, having let his guard down, fell into He Xi Meng's trap and couldn't recover, instead being overwhelmed by a furious run.
By the end of the third quarter, the Celtics held a commanding 94-74 lead over the Cavaliers, still up by 20 points.
Head coach Mike Brown threw in the towel, conceding the game and not fielding his starting lineup in the fourth quarter.
On the Celtics' side, Kerr graciously accepted the victory.
Carter scored a game-high 24 points, while James had the second-highest with 22.
He Xi Meng didn't score much, only 20 points, but he dished out 12 assists and recorded 3 steals.
After the game, He Xi Meng couldn't resist teasing James.
"How about that? Didn't I tell you? I said keep an eye on Vince, but you guys wouldn't listen..."
He Xi Meng's words held truth. Carter's 15 points in the first quarter indeed set the tone for the game, forcing the Cavaliers to chase the score for the remaining three quarters, only to see the deficit grow larger...
"I have nothing to say! In the next game, we won't surrender again, I promise!"
James didn't engage with He Xi Meng's taunt but instead expressed his determination, rallying himself.
"Excellent! That's the spirit for young men! I believe in you!"
"Thank you!"
Despite He Xi Meng winning the game, it was James who ended up thanking him in the end...
Game 2, the home court remained the same. James kept his word, playing all 48 minutes without surrendering or giving up. He even put up an all-around performance with 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists.
However, the Cavaliers still lost.
Mike Brown made adjustments, implementing a "tactical" double-team on Carter.
As expected, when one player was contained, another rose to the occasion – He Xi Meng!
In this game, Carter scored only 22 points, but He Xi Meng swapped roles with him, racking up 29 points and 9 assists, effectively nullifying all of James's efforts.
In addition, Yao Ming scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Diop had 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Monta Ellis had 13 points and 5 assists...
The Cavaliers lost again, returning home with a 0-2 deficit.
In Game 3, the Cavaliers ramped up their defensive intensity, engaging the Celtics in a defensive battle.
With the home crowd advantage, the Cavaliers managed to suppress the Celtics' offense.
However, their own offense also struggled to get going.
Ultimately, the two teams were tied at 82-82 as the final seconds ticked away.
Carter's mid-range fadeaway jumper missed, and Yao Ming grabbed the offensive rebound, but his turnaround hook shot also failed to drop!
James battled through the chaos to secure the defensive rebound, saving the Cavaliers from a perilous situation.
If the Celtics had made that shot, the Cavaliers would have been in a very difficult position.
Turning the ball over, James hesitated to shoot, instead dribbling repeatedly to probe the Celtics' defense for weaknesses. Finally, before the 24-second clock expired, he drove to the basket and drew a foul from the pursuing Diop on a layup attempt.
With the spirit of a soldier charging a bunker, James painstakingly earned himself two free throws.
However, due to the intensity of the game, James hadn't rested for even a second. Standing at the free-throw line, he took deep breaths to calm his racing heart, hoping to make his shots. But unfortunately, to the dismay of the entire Cleveland crowd, James's first free throw clanked off the rim.
He became even more nervous for the second shot, dribbling repeatedly and taking deep breaths. The referee, giving him ample time to compose himself, didn't call him for delay. Finally, James successfully sank the second free throw, giving the Cavaliers an 83-82 lead.
Although they had the lead, the game wasn't over yet. The Celtics still had 8.9 seconds to make a final play!
8.9 seconds was enough time to execute a complete offensive sequence, so the Cavaliers couldn't celebrate just yet.
If the Celtics made this shot, the Cavaliers would face the heartbreak of being defeated at the buzzer.
To ensure defensive efficiency, James volunteered to switch onto He Xi Meng. James was confident that in this crucial final moment, the Celtics would entrust He Xi Meng with the shot.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens' initial thought mirrored James's prediction.
However, He Xi Meng didn't make a definitive statement, instead asking Yao Ming and Carter to be ready for a shot based on Stevens' tactical plan.
"I have a feeling you guys might get even better looks..." were He Xi Meng's exact words.
After the timeout, the Celtics ran their usual play, and He Xi Meng received the ball smoothly. However, the Cavaliers double-teamed him, denying him any opportunity to drive or shoot.
Mike Brown's intention was simple: force He Xi Meng into taking a shot from way beyond the arc, contested by the Cavaliers' defense.
Under the double-team pressure, Mike Brown hoped He Xi Meng's shot would fall short.
He Xi Meng naturally sensed the Cavaliers' strategy. While a shot from that mid-court vicinity was possible, its success rate certainly wouldn't match Yao Ming's, who was already making his way towards the basket...
He Xi Meng feigned a jump shot, but at the last moment, he transitioned into a pass. The ball shot out like an arrow, flying directly into the hands of Yao Ming under the basket.
The Cavaliers had focused most of their defensive attention on He Xi Meng and Carter on the perimeter, leaving them unprepared for Yao Ming's cut to the basket.
Yao Ming drove past Zydrunas with a spin, and the defender found it difficult to recover...
Thus, the Celtics executed a surprise attack!
Yao Ming took three steps, glided, and slammed the ball through the hoop with a powerful dunk!
84-83, the Celtics had indeed managed to reclaim the lead before the game ended.
The only hope remaining was that the game wasn't entirely over yet. The referee gave the Cavaliers a sliver of time, leaving them with 1.1 seconds for one final offensive possession...