Stockbridge Consultants Sports Central | Stockbridge Consultants

Someone is going to have to beat the Celtics in Boston to keep them from winning their 17th NBA title.

Cleveland is hoping for one more chance.

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 16 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo added 20 points and 13 assists as the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 96-89 on Wednesday night to move within a win of the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 6 is Friday night in Cleveland.

“We know it’s a win-or-go-home situation. We’ve got to approach it that way,” said LeBron James, who scored 23 of his 35 points in the first 20 minutes and then went cold again. “We’re a very good team at home. But a LeBron James team is never desperate.”

Paul Pierce scored 29 points and helped shut James down for much of the second half. The Cavaliers forward had 23 points with 3:50 left in the first half but made just one basket in the next 20 minutes as Boston erased a 14-point deficit and took the lead for good.

1. Game 1: at BOSCLE 72, BOS 76 - Final

   Recap | Box Score

2. Game 2: at BOSCLE 73, BOS 89 - Final

   Recap | Box Score

3. Game 3: at CLEBOS 84, CLE 108 - Final

   Recap | Box Score

4. Game 4: at CLEBOS 77, CLE 88 - Final

   Recap | Box Score

5. Game 5: at BOSCLE 89, BOS 96 - Final

   Recap | Box Score

6. Game 6: at CLEFri, May 16 - 8:00 pm EDT

   TV: ESPN

7. Game 7: at BOSSun, May 18 - TBA

   TV: ABC