WASHINGTON, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Kyrie Irving scored a game-high and career playoff-high 42 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics 112-99 on Tuesday to take a 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
Lebron James recovered from his early foul troubles in the first half and scored 28 of his 34 points in the second. Kevin Love added 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Cavs, who are now 11-1 in the postseason.
Irving had 12 points in the second quarter and 21 in the third. He made nine of 10 field goal attempts in the third, including 2-for-3 on three-pointers as Cleveland outscored Boston 54-37 during that stretch. "He put us on his back and carried us," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.
"He's a great finisher. He's a good player. He's one of the best point guards in the NBA," Celtics guard Avery Bradley said of Irving. "You can tell he puts in a lot of work in his game. A lot of respect from myself, my teammates," he added.
Avery Bradley scored 19 and Jae Crowder bagged 18 for Boston. Al Horford added 16 points and Kelly Olynyk finished with 15.
