To return to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year, the Cavs have to win four of five and rewrite Boston's illustrious history. The Celtics are 37-0 when they win the first two games in a series.

The Cavs came in wanting to play faster and be more physical with the younger Celtics, who were the aggressors in Games 1 and 2.

Not this time.

"The toughest team sets the rules," Rozier said. "They came out aggressive from the jump and never looked back. We've got to play aggressive from the rip. Tonight, we were all over the place, playing too fast and doing things we didn't want to do."

The Cavs needed more from point guard George Hill after two poor performances (eight points, one assist) in Boston. Hill responded with a driving layup to start the game and drained three 3-pointers in the first quarter as Cleveland wasted no time taking control.

Hill finished with 13, JR Smith 11, and Cleveland's supporting cast played so well that James was only on the floor for 37 minutes.

Stevens was confident his team would play better on the road than earlier in these playoffs, but the Celtics were shaky early, committing four turnovers and shooting 2 of 10 while the Cavs opened a 27-11 lead.

James said earlier on Saturday the fact he has twice rallied from 2-0 deficits in the postseason offered no relief.

"There's nothing about the playoffs that's comfortable until you either win it all or you lose and go into the summer," he said.

Summer might not be as close as it once seemed.

Associated Press