It’s do or die for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who return to the Quicken Loans Arena for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:30am (AEST).
This series has followed a familiar script, with the home team winning – and dominating – each game so far.
It means we come to Game 6 with the Cavs gunning for a fourth straight finals series but needing to win two games in a row just to get there, being down 3-2 in the series.
As has been the case all season, LeBron James is the man who will have to do the bulk of the damage for the hosts. While he was good in Game 3 and 4 at home, his performance in Game 5 was well below standards.
He shot the ball poorly, made six turnovers and more worryingly, looked fatigued, spending more time on the bench than you would ordinarily see for the greatest of all time.
Still, he needs support, even at his best. For a team playing under the motto of ‘whatever it takes,’ they were pathetic in Game 5, with only Kevin Love handing a helping hand to James and his efforts.
In the end, a 13-point win flattered the Cavaliers, but they were strong at home, and Boston, right throughout the playoffs have been nowhere near as good on the road.
While they got the job done scrappily in the conference semi-finals, they never looked convincing on the road. It’s a nod to the youth seen in their team, with the likes of Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart leading the side.
They can get going on the back of their home crowd, but struggle to do so when tasked with battling a player like LeBron on the road, as seen in Games 3 and 4 when they lost by 30 and 9 respectively.
Boston should be stronger for the experience and if their defence holds solid they have a strong chance, but even then, their shooting has to come off like it did in the three games played at home this series.
With all that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see Cleveland favourites.
Prediction
It’s gone the way of the home sides so far and while I’m not so sure that’ll be the case in Game 7, we are definitely going to be heading back to Boston one way or another.
Cavaliers by 6.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference finals from 10:30am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Boston in 7. They cannot win away from home at this stage of the season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me today on The Roar for Game 6 of this series. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow at 11am (AEST) for Game 6 between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors, then again on Monday at 10:30am (AEST) for Game 7 of this series. I'll also be live in about half an hour with some AFL action as the Richmond Tigers take on the St Kilda Saints. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Time will just run down here. The home team wins again and we are heading back to Boston for Game 7 with a winner takes all. The prize on offer, a spot in the NBA Finals for 2018. LeBron James the difference tonight, almost a triple double. He was fantastic from buzzer to buzzer and after a scrappy first quarter, the Cavs put the foot down and never looked back. The injury to Kevin Love is a concern. Concussion, and with only 48 hours between now and Game 7 on Sunday night, the chance of him making a return would seem slim, which is only going to put more pressure on one of the greatest players we have ever seen. Boston have been great at home during the playoffs, but whether they can do it again in Game 7 is anyone's guess. LeBron doesn't lose often in Game 7. Cavaliers - 109 Celtics - 99
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' LeBron misses the extra. There is a foul on the rebound and LeBron now checks out of the game after playing all but about 60 seconds of it so far. What an incredible performance. 46 points, 9 assists, 11 rebounds. Cavaliers - 109 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' The Celtics with it through Horford and he misses over Nance. Smith grabs the rebound and now it's LeBron again taking time off the clock before he goes to work, dropping it in, going to 46 points and drawing the foul. 57 seconds on the clock and this is all over. Cavaliers - 109 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Long delay here as this call is reviewed. It's going to be a Boston ball. Cavaliers - 107 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' This is being reviewed. Cavaliers - 107 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Boston with it here. They need quick shots and a lot of points in a hurry. Rozier to Tatum and he misses before Horford misses on the put back. It's out off Cleveland on the rebound though so Boston will retain possession. Cavaliers - 107 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Timeout Boston, but it looks like we are heading to Game 7! Cavaliers - 107 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Brown with a bucket as he goes up the floor. Great work right there. Now the Cavaliers running some time off the clock and LEBRON! GET OUT OF TOWN! He does it again! Same spot, same result and this time the lead is 11 with 1:40 to go. He took the whole shot clock right now. We are privileged to watch this bloke play. Cavaliers - 107 Celtics - 96
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' LEBRON! He works on Tatum, then, cool as you like, steps back on Tatum and hits a massive three from the left wing, increasing the lead back to ten. Cavaliers - 104 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' LeBron into Nance who slams it home, before Brown goes all the way down the floor and scores. Great attack right there. Cavaliers - 101 Celtics - 94
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Jaylen Brown makes two of three at the line. Cavaliers - 99 Celtics - 92
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' LeBron with a score here off the inbound here for Cleveland before Smart goes to Horford and he works on James, goes back to Smart and then it's Jaylen Brown being fouled taking a three. Cavaliers - 99 Celtics - 90
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' James goes up the floor now and he draws a foul on Tatum. That'll be his third personal, but it's not into the bonus yet so just a side ball. Timeout called. Cavaliers - 97 Celtics - 90
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' That's not great from Korver. He went to link back up with LeBron on a 1-2 play there, but it was stolen by Tatum who then runs the length of the floor and scores. LeBron with a miss now and some great hustle from Smart wins Boston the ball, but Brown misses the three. Cavaliers - 97 Celtics - 90
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Horford is good on one. Cavaliers - 97 Celtics - 88
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Horford fouled by Smith on a close-range shot now. He will go to the free throw line. Cavaliers - 97 Celtics - 87
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' The Celtics working through Smart. He drives on Nance who couldn't do much more in defence there, but the shot still falls. Hill now on the drive and he puts it up, the ball arcing into the bucket. Cavaliers - 97 Celtics - 87