Cavaliers Get Back Into Series With Celtics

Solid defense helps Cleveland cut Boston's lead to 2-1

By Mitch Pritchard, Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2008 10:57 PM CDT

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Cavaliers Get Back Into Series With Celtics — Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo (9) gets inside Cleveland Cavaliers' Ben Wallace (4) for a shot in the third quarter of Game 3 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

It was the Boston Celtics, not Ben Wallace, feeling dizzy after this one. Wallace started Game 3 despite occasional dizziness from an inner ear infection and had one of his best performances since joining Cleveland in a midseason trade. His defensive presence inside was a major factor in the Cavaliers' 108-84 win tonight, which pulled them within 2-1 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Wallace helped hold Kevin Garnett to 17 points, blocked shots and drew offensive fouls as the frustrated Celtics never could overcome a 13-point first quarter. Wallace finished with nine points, a season playoff high, along with nine rebounds and two assists. An airball on a free throw attempt in the fourth quarter was his only ugly moment. A few seconds later he left the game to a standing ovation. (Read more 2008 NBA playoffs stories.)

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