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PRO BASKETBALL — May 12
Game 4 — Eastern Conference Playoffs
BOSTON (+1.5) at CLEVELAND (Total 181) — Cleveland remains a favorite again in the evaluation of the oddsmaker, and if they indeed tie up this series Boston could find itself in some real trouble. The Celtics are facing different challenges than before because if they can be beaten by 24 points when LeBron James hits five of 16 shots (22.4% in this series), they need to spread out the defense to contend with. Wally Szczerbiak became more active in Game 3, as did Joe Smith, who hit seven of his eight shots off the bench. Cleveland’s depth could become a big factor here, if it hasn’t already. Boston still has not won a road playoff game, and we want to emphasize this again - between Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, none of them has ever been able to carry his club that far in the post-season. The playoff performer in this group is Sam Cassell, and he scored only one points in 18 minutes of action on Saturday.
JAY’S PLAY: CLEVELAND **
