Celtics defeat Cavs despite James' triple-double
BOSTON -- LeBron James registered the 49th triple-double of his career, but it was the Boston Celtics, behind more fourth-quarter heroics from Isaiah Thomas, who got the last laugh on Wednesday night.
Boston's little big man scored five points in the final 49.4 seconds and the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-99 for their first win in three tries this season against the NBA champions.
Thomas, the league's leading fourth-quarter scorer, missed three straight free throws in the first 4:13 of the quarter. But he set up 3-pointers by Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley before tying the game at 99 with a trey with 49.4 seconds left.
He was fouled on a drive with 28.1 seconds left and made the free throws.
Kyrie Irving missed a jumper, Tristan Thompson got the rebound and got the ball out to James who, while double teamed, found an open Deron Williams in the left corner. Williams, in his second game with the Cavs, missed the 3-pointer.
Crowder rebounded and nailed the two free throws with 4.2 on the clock.
Thomas, who had been in a four-game shooting slump, finished with 31 points and five assists, while Crowder had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Al Horford just missed his second career triple-double, finishing with nine points, 10 rebounds and matching a career high with 10 assists.
James, averaging more points against Boston than any other team, finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, while Irving also scored 28 and Thompson grabbed 13 rebounds.
The Celtics (39-22), who dropped three of four after the All-Star break, allowed an average of 126 points in the two earlier losses to Cleveland (41-18) this season.
Bradley, who missed 18 straight and 22 of 23 games before returning Monday, played only in the first half Monday night but was there at crunch time Wednesday.
NOTES: Celtics coach Brad Stevens lauded the Cavaliers' recent acquisitions of Kyle Korver, Deron Williams, Andrew Bogut and Derrick Williams, saying before Wednesday's game: "They're really good and I think they actually might be better when it's all said and done than they were last year ... I think the addition of Korver is huge." Bogut still has to pass a physical before joining the team. ... While F Kevin Love and G/F J.R. Smith were out for Cleveland, G Gerald Green (heel) was missing for Boston. ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick, running back LeGarrette Blount, other Patriots and Floyd Mayweather were seated courtside. Belichick survived a mini-collision with LeBron James. ... The Cavaliers continue their three-game road trip at Atlanta on Friday, while the Celtics open a five-game road trip in Los Angeles against the Lakers the same night.