Cavs level series against Celtics

LeBron James contributed 21 points, a playoff career-high 13 assists and six rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers leveled their Eastern Conference semi-finals series with the Boston Celtics with a 88-77 victory.

James survived another sub-par shooting game, hitting on just 7-of-20 from the field which took his overall record to 20-of-78 from the floor in four playoff games against the Celtics.

Boston's Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce both struggled in the second half, shooting a combined 4-of-14 from the floor, and Cleveland's bench outscored Boston's reserves 36-17.

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Garnett finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Pierce scored 13 points for Boston.

The Cavaliers took their largest lead of the second half at 76-71 with 7:27 left when James dropped a no-look pass to Joe Smith for a lay-up.

At the start of the third, Wally Szczerbiak scored nine quick points, while Ray Allen hit two three-pointers and three free throws.

The Cavaliers ended the third quarter on a 7-2 run and took a 68-65 lead into the fourth.

After missing six straight shots, James hit a key three-pointer with 3:17 to go to give the Cavaliers a 79-73 lead.

Daniel Gibson hit a three-pointer and James followed with a powerful right-handed slam over Garnett at 1:45 to give Cleveland an 84-75 cushion.