J.B. Bickerstaff commends Cavaliers despite tough loss / News - Basketnews.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers played without star Donovan Mitchell but gave the Celtics "everything that they had" in Game 4.

Credit: AP – Scanpix Credit AP – Scanpix

The Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

2-pointers this season

56%28,1Points made:28,1Accuracy:55,8%Place in standings:23Record max:43Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Jarrett AllenTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

The Cavaliers played without their top guy, Donovan Mitchell, who was sidelined due to a calf injury. They went toe-to-toe with the Celtics, but in the end, Boston just had too much firepower.

Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, though, commended his team for their effort in the tough loss.

"They laid it all out there," Bickerstaff said. "They gave us everything that they had. They competed at a high level. They played the game properly. I'm proud of the guys, the way they went out and scrapped and competed and gave ourselves a chance."

Darius GarlandCredit Winslow Townson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

Darius Garland had 30 points to lead the Cavs but was frustrated with the free throw disparity in Game 4. The Celtics had 24 free throw attempts, while Cleveland only had seven.

"That's ridiculous," Garland said. "It's tough to get just seven free throws. I know how many times I get hit and how many times my teammates get hit. It's tough."

Game 5 of the series shifts to Boston.

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