CLEVELAND: Avery Bradley’s 3-pointer from the corner gave the Boston Celtics a stunning 104-103 victory Friday night when they rallied from five points behind in the final 20 seconds.
The Cavs seemed to have the victory sealed when J.R. Smith grabbed an offensive rebound off LeBron James’ missed 3-pointer with 22 seconds left. Kyrie Irving made two free throws to give the Cavs a 101-96 lead, but Smith fouled Evan Turner on a drive to the basket with four seconds left.
The Celtics trailed 103-99 when Smith fouled Turner as he hit a layup. Turner missed the free throw, but the ball went out of bounds off the Cavs, leaving the Celtics with possession and one final shot to win it.
Bradley made a 3-pointer over an outstretched Iman Shumpert, stunning a sellout crowd and handing the Cavs just their fourth home loss of the season.
James scored 30 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough on a night the Cavs lost Kevin Love to another injury against the Celtics.
Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points and Turner had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists off the bench for the Celtics, who squandered a 92-85 lead with 3:18 left, only to rally and win at the buzzer.
Smith scored 20 points before fouling out on the crucial foul against Turner and Irving had 19 points and six assists for the Cavs.
Now the Cavs will wait to learn the severity of Love’s latest injury. His run of bad luck against the Celtics continued when he left the game late in the third quarter with a bruised left thigh and did not return.
Love, who missed nearly six months after his left shoulder was injured by Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk during their playoff series last season, was bumped by Thomas under the basket Friday with two minutes left in the quarter.
Love dropped to the ground and was writhing in pain on the baseline. He had to be helped to the bench and later limped to the locker room under his own power.
This was the first game in Cleveland between the two teams since Olynyk injured Love. He was booed upon entering the game and every time he touched the ball, while Cavs reserve Richard Jefferson received a huge ovation when he fouled Olynyk on a breakaway during the first half.
Love left the game with 10 points and five rebounds, although he had eight points and four rebounds after the first quarter.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.