LeBron, Cavs off the mark; Spurs head to Game 4

(AP) - Right now, the Cleveland Cavaliers don't have a shot against the Boston Celtics.

The Celts have a two-games-to-none lead in the NBA's Eastern Conference finals after holding the Cavs under 36 percent shooting in an 89-73 win at Boston. LeBron James missed 18 of his 24 shots, leaving him just 8-for-42 in the first two games of the series. James was 0-5 from the field while the Cavaliers were shooting 11.8 percent in a disastrous second quarter.

The Celtics took control by outscoring Cleveland 27-12 in the second period to grab an eight-point halftime lead. Boston surged ahead after the Cavaliers took a 24-17 lead into the quarter.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen led the Celtics' offense after the pair was held to just four points on 2-for-18 shooting in Tuesday's 76-72 win over the Cavaliers. Pierce delivered 19 points and Allen added 16 while teammate Kevin Garnett finished with 13 and 12 rebounds.

James actually led all scorers with 21 points for the Cavs, who host Game 3 Saturday.

The Cavaliers played the last three quarters without Ben Wallace due to dizziness brought on by allergies.

The San Antonio Spurs are within 2-1 in their Western Conference semifinal series with New Orleans.

Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 31 points as the Spurs knocked off the Hornets 110-99. Tim Duncan chipped in 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by a basket before outscoring the Hornets by 13 in the second half.

Ginobili, Parker and Duncan also fueled an 11-0 run that put San Antonio ahead 101-88 with 5:57 remaining.

Chris Paul had another strong game for New Orleans, finishing with a game-high 35 points and nine assists. David West delivered 23 points and 12 rebounds, but Peja Stojakovic managed just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.

The series stays in San Antonio for Game 4 Sunday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)