LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers kept their NBA playoff hopes alive with a 111-102 home win over Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference finals.
After dropping their opening two games on the road, the Cavaliers have now tied up the best-of-seven series at 2-2, and now head back to Boston, where their rivals have not lost (9-0) during the post-season.
"It's a hostile environment," James said afterwards. "We understand that, we know that there's no love in there.
"If you ain't got on green, if you don't play for that team, if you don't bleed green, they got no love for you."
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With James again dominant at both ends of the court, Cleveland led for all but the opening exchanges, stretching their margin to 19 points early in the second quarter and holding off a Celtics run that saw them close to within seven down the stretch.
James scored 44 points - his sixth 40-point performance these playoffs - to pass NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar atop the all-time playoff scoring rankings.
But the key over these past two games has been the improving showing of his supporting cast, with Kyle Korver (14 points), Tristan Thompson (13 points/12 rebounds) and Grant Hill (13 points) having James' back.
All Boston's starting five scored in double figures, with guards Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Terry Rozier (16 points/11 assists) leading the way.
Game Five of the series is scheduled for Thursday (NZ time).
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