Marcus Smart: Marcus Smart steps up in Game 7 win

Celtics forward Paul Pierce goes against Cavaliers forward LeBron James in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Even if the Cavs come out slow or rusty in Game 1, they should still be the favorites. This especially was evidenced in Game 7, as Washington only received five points from its bench and none in the second half. The only scoring for the first 3 minutes were three free-throws by the Celtics. Thomas connected on another three and then Marcus sent the Garden into pandemonium with a three to cap a 13-3 run, including nine straight to end the quarter, as the Celtics took an 86-79 lead into the fourth.

"I really don't know, the only other way I could process this is I wish I played better", he said after the game.

Isaiah Thomas had a double-double of 29 points and 12 assists in the series decider at TD Garden. But for the Lakers, who were playing the Celtics in the NBA Finals when the lottery was instituted in 1985, the swings could determine how quickly they can get back to their former heights.

The Wizards had not won a game in Boston since 2014, and the outing Monday night was their first shot at going to the National Basketball Association conference finals since they were last there in 1979.

And while Kelly Olynyk certainly stole the show with a playoff career-high 26 points, it was Thomas who found that always-tough balance of being a big-time scorer while also getting his teammates great looks.

These guys just lost more than $1 billion each
Making a comparison to the search industry, Spiegel added: "Just because Yahoo has a search box doesn't mean they're Google". The stock is down 20% Thursday afternoon, to $18.29, hovering just above the company's March IPO price of $17.

Wizards: Dropped to 6-4 all-time in Game 7s.

All 11 games between these teams in the regular season and postseason - all physical affairs - were won by the home team. We've got to get ready for the defending champs. Thomas had to visit the dentist after injuring at least three teeth in Game 1 against Washington, and the Celtics are only advancing after their defenders contained John Wall in Game 7. In fact, we are officially in the midst of the franchise's most significant week in almost a decade, and Green Teamers are feeling those good vibrations.

That being that on Tuesday night the Celtics very well may receive the top pick in June's NBA Draft.

Cleveland will enter the series coming off 10 days of rest after sweeping the Toronto Raptors in the second round.

Beal was complaining to a ref about a previous call as he backed to his basket to play defense, and Boston's Avery Bradley came up behind him for a screen.