Bradley’s 3-pointer puts Celtics back in series
Shot in final second halts Cavs’ streak; Smart scores 27.
Avery Bradley’s 3-pointer dropped in with less than a second left as the Boston Celtics — blown out in the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals and playing without star Isaiah Thomas — stunned the host Cleveland Cavaliers 111-108 Sunday night in Game 3 to end the champions’ 13-game postseason winning streak.
Bradley’s shot from the left wing bounced on the rim four times before going down. It capped a furious comeback by the Celtics, who trailed by 21 in the third quarter before rallying to tighten up a series that appeared to be over.
Marcus Smart scored 27 points, and Bradley had 20 for the Celtics. They were given little chance after losing by 44 in Game 2 and then losing Thomas for the rest
Celtics 111, Cavaliers 108 (Cleveland leads 2-1)
Warriors at Spurs, ESPN (Golden State leads 3-0) of the postseason because of a hip injury.
Kyr i e I r v i ng s c ored 2 9 points and Kevin Love 28 for Cleveland. The Cavaliers dropped to 10-1 in the postseason with their first loss since Game 4 of last year’s Finals.
James award: Snubbed in the MVP voting, LeBron James received an award maybe more significant.
James is this year’s recipient of the Walter Kennedy Ci t i z e nshi p Award g iven annually by the Pro Basketball Writers’ Association for “outstanding service and dedication to the community.”
The Cleveland star is being honored for his educational work in Akron, Ohio, his hometown. He has helped more than 1,100 at-risk students through his LeBron James Family Foundation, which partnered with the University of Akron in 2015 to provide full scholarships to students who meet eligibility requirements. James is also starting a new public “‘I PROMISE” school to aid students and their families.
“It means a lot,” James said of the award, which is named after the league’s second commissioner. “I do so much for my community and my foundation does a great job of giving families and kids and the youth an opportunity to better their lives and better their futures and for that part of what I do to be recognized, it’s definitely an award that not only myself and my foundation but all my kids that are a part of my program and all the people that look up to me, it’s their award for sure.”
James has mentored students by writing letters, calling their homes and rewarding them with tickets to Cavs games. He has also bought g ro c e r i e s , s u ppl i e d u ni - forms and arranged outings to expose the youngsters to new experiences.
“LeBron James’ efforts to help young people are exemplary,” said PBWA President Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. “He is making a difference, and so are the other 25 people who were nominated for this award.”