See what Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love and LeBron James said after their team's 103-95 win against the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference playoffs first round.
BOSTON - Here is what Cleveland Cavaliers Kevin Love and LeBron James said after their team's 103-95 win against the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series.
KEVIN LOVE
First talk about your performance today. Tonight your shot was back. How big a victory was today?
Love: I think each game is going to be very different. It has been individually for me. I had to get nerves out of way in Game 1. Game 2 I had foul trouble. I had a lot of open shots, and my teammates were able to find me. Tristan Thompson was unbelievable. We have guys that can do different things. It was big for us going up 3-0.
Kyrie got fouled hard, you guys rushed the scene. Talk about when plays happen like that, the negative effect it could have.
Love: It's a chance for Celtics to muck up the game. We were just having our brother's back and keep it moving and keep our heads. We know adversity is going to hit. Going forward we know what's going to happen.
There have been games where David Blatt didn't even use you in the fourth quarter because of rotations. What has that process been like for you accepting sometime your number won't be called?
Love: Naturally, being a competitor I always want to be out there. The other teams had gone small and that's just how we matched up. It was on me to be a professional. In different games throughout the season, I was able to make some big plays when I was out there. I just want to do what I can to help the team.
Have the Celtics shown you guys anything differently at home than they did on the road?
Love: The first couple games, they came out and hit first. We wanted to come out and hit first tonight. They had hard foul on Kyrie and LeBron. We had to make plays. The definitely showed us different looks, lineups and schemes. We've adjusted to it very well and have a great gameplan going into Game 4.
Go back to how the season started with Blatt took over the team.
Love: We had so many players that weren't used to playing with each other. We made trade for Shump and Timofey Mozgov and J.R. halfway through and almost had to break it down and figure it out again. He's weathered it very well. He's not experienced in the NBA or in NBA playoffs, but he's figuring it out on the fly. We showed we can make it happen in crunch time and grow up.
It's been transition for you, how do you view the postseason? Chance to prove yourself?
Love: People have focused my whole career on what I couldn't do. I know the coaches and organization has my back. Tonight my number called when I needed to hit a big shot. I was able to set my feet, make a shot. I was right there to hit another shot. Definitely a new season for myself; it's my first time going through it.
When did you start getting comfortable shooting that corner 3-pointer?
Love: A lot of them have been in transition. The way we're able to space the floor and make that happen and a ton of other guys on team, it makes it easier for LeBron and Kyrie to get to the hole.
Do you feel momentum swing with 3-point shot?
Love: I played with a lot more confidence tonight. I thought I played well in Game 1, not much you can do about foul trouble in Game 2. Guys were shooting shots, we were tested in every quarter. When it came down to a 3-minute game, we were able to execute.
Do you feel unbeatable if 3-pointers are falling?
Love: I don't think anyone's unbeatable. Basketball is a game where anyone can be beaten any day. If we're moving the ball and hitting our shots, we're going to be pretty tough.
LEBRON JAMES
J.R. Smith had a tremendous game. He talked about coming in and shooting early, you came with him. How did that pan out?
James: We were together last night watching games. He said he was going early, I said 'I'm going with you.' He's been in a slump for him. A lot of guys would kill to be in a slump the way he's been. His defensive activity was tremendous. The way he approached it this morning trickled down to tonight.
You made a lot of winning plays in the game. Which was the most important and why?
James: I don't know. The contest on the dunk on Turner or the extra pass to Love for 3-pointer. I try to do a little bit of everything, some things that don't show up in the box score. Whatever it takes to win I'm on board.
You talked about not being patient person. Is that evident tonight, knowing you could go up 3-0?
James: I wanted to be aggressive. I love road games in the playoffs. I love the adversity that comes with it. Even though missed some layups earlier, aggressiveness hit home for our team and they started to follow after that.
They wanted to take physicality to another level. Things could have got out of hand, how do you handle that?
James: You handle it by whatever the refs decide the call is, you make free throws and get a stop. The only thing that matters is trying to get a win. I don't shy away from contact. I think we defended at a high level and rebounded.
You're up 3-0, needed big plays. What kind of test has this series been?
James: I'd much rather make big plays and be up 3-0 than not and be down 0-3. It's our first experience on the road together. Kevin Love, Kyrie and Tristan Thompson played great basketball. I don't think we're looking to make a statement. All that matters is a win, just getting it done.
You seemed like had back and forth with Turner. Was that payback for physicality?
James: Any play momentum swing. Jae Crowder got rebound, got fouled. It's about not allowing easy baskets. Evan was in a groove. Hit a big 3-pointer to knock deficit down in 4th. I try to be around the ball and try to be very active defensively.
You've had some big games in this building. What did those early games mean for your development?
James: For our team, every experience we come across is a good teacher for us. Being here and playing early in my days and seeing mindset it took to win. Am I always going to come out victorious? No. But I want to be as successful as possible.
On that last pass to Kevin for 3, it seemed like the Celtics had tried to take play away the entire series. What enabled to get that play back?
James: It took our offensive rebounding machine in Tristan Thompson to get us another possession. Tristan was able to kick it back out and we went back to same iso. I was going to find a teammate for either a make or miss; just try to get us a good look. I drove the lane, Zeller stepped up, Kevin's man left him and I tried to put it right where all he had to do was catch and shoot.
Can you quantify what Tristan Thompson was able to do on nights like tonight?
James: I always harp on how important every possession is. It's demoralizing for the opponent when you're wrestling with two guys for the ball and you still get it. He had five offensive rebounds by himself. It's huge to have a guy like that. Tristan Thompson's importance to our team is very high. He gives us high impact when he's on the floor.
Talk about the chemistry of the team. Have you seen growth from Kyrie and Kevin in this series?
James: Chemistry is high as far as what we need to do to win. Coaches give us the gameplan, and it's up to us to go out and execute, giving ourselves best chance to win. This is what Kevin and Kyrie have been waiting for a long time. I imagine they watched a lot of postseason games when they didn't make it. They're making the most of their opportunity. They've played some great ballgames.
How did Garden feel tonight vs. when you've played here in the past?
James: The uniforms are the same, but the players are different. It's the same for me. I get great feelings and eerie feelings when I come here. I've been on both sides. Fans are loyal to one thing and one thing only and that's green. To be able to come out and perform in front of them, they know sports. To have history in this city means a lot for my legacy.
Kevin Love has been scrutinized more than anyone else. How have you been pleased with how he's responded?
James: He's played an unbelievable series. He missed some shots in Game 1, but his impact on the floor, to make shots, and rebound. He's been highly criticized and I know why. I think when you have your own team and then you come together with a Big Three, they have to find someone. Chris Bosh was that guy at some point in Miami. Kev was the guy they tried to find and tear down. I don't get too involved in what everybody says. I think he's relished the chance to be part of this franchise. He's definitely used that as motivation, I believe. He's a very cerebral basketball player. For us to be the team we want long-term, we need Kevin to be Kevin.
You set the culture for team. What represent to you that J.R. initiated his shooting this morning?
James: As the leader, the first thing I do is demand excellence from myself and my teammates and whoever else is around. It doesn't mean winning and losing, it's having professionalism every single day. That will ultimately make you a better player. J.R.'s been misunderstood. He wrote a great column week and a half ago about the perception of him before he got here. It doesn't matter whether he's playing in New York, in Cleveland or in Denver, all that matters is winning. I think it's unfair to him. He comes out every day to get better and help our team win. He's a great teammate and a great guy. He makes your job that much easier.