LeBron frustrated after last-second loss to Celtics: 'It hurts'
Friday night's home game against the Boston Celtics (30-22) was there for the taking for the Cleveland Cavaliers (35-14), but poor execution down the stretch, a 39-point fourth quarter from the visitors, and a dagger from Avery Bradley ultimately led to their demise.
Related: Avery Bradley sinks Cavs with buzzer-beating 3-pointer
LeBron James was left with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach after the Cavs were unable to close out the game despite leading by four points with 7.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
"It's how we lost. It hurts," James said after the game, according to Ohio.com's Jason Lloyd. "It's been a while since I felt like this."
James scored 30 points for the first time since Jan. 10, hitting 9-of-23 from the field and 12-of-17 from the charity stripe in 38 minutes of action. He also grabbed seven boards, dished out four assists, and stole the ball twice, but turned the ball over on six occasions.
The four-time league MVP was noticeably upset in the Cavs' locker room following the heartbreaking defeat, saying Bradley shouldn't have been as open as he was when taking his game-winning shot, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Chris Haynes.
Iman Shumpert lost Bradley on the final possession, failing to get a hand up in his face before the 3-pointer was taken.
The Cavaliers were also without Kevin Love for the final 15 minutes after he left the game with a left thigh bruise.
Related: Kevin Love suffers left thigh bruise, hopes to play Saturday vs. Pelicans
The loss was Cleveland's second in a row after coming up short on the road in Charlotte on Wednesday. The Cavs will look to get back on the winning path Saturday against Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.