Celtics get crushed by Cavs, lose 110-79

As encouraging as the Celtics effort was Sunday against the Warriors, the performance against the Cavaliers Tuesday night was just as disappointing.

The C's actually got off to a decent start and a 9-5 lead after a three by Avery Bradley early in the first quarter. However, Avery missed a wide open dunk the next trip down, and that was promptly followed by a 16-2 Cavalier run. It didn't get any better after that.

The quarter was highlighted by some incredible shots by LeBron James - the only thing more ridiculous than his shot selection was the fact he was actually making them. LeBron entered the game averaging 30.4 points per game against the Celtics, his highest against any team. He would have topped that mark easily except he only had to play 26 minutes in the blowout.

Brad Stevens tried to jump start things with the Jonas Jerebko-at-center lineup, but the second quarter was more of the same. Not even a Shavlik Randolph appearance could stem the tide. Brandon Bass was the only Celtic who played with a sense of urgency and led the team at the half with 10 points. LeBron had 21 and Kyrie had 14 as the Cavaliers led 61-36 at the break.

Stevens went with Isaiah Thomas and Jerebko early in the 3rd quarter, but nothing was working on this night. The Celtics couldn't make a shot and the Cavs couldn't miss - and even when they did they got the offensive rebound and put it in. The Celts were down 42 after three.

In the 4th quarter, James Young and Phil Pressey hit a couple shots, and Luigi Datome did some nice things - but this night belonged to Cleveland.

LeBron went crazy, Perk scored against the C's, and the Green lost by 31. Not a good night for the Celtics.