Paul Pierce, left, is called for a foul on this play with Ben Wallace of the Cavs in first-half action last night.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

CLEVELAND — As Doc Rivers walked back to the Celtics dressing room after last night’s bitter 74-69 loss to the Cavaliers, someone asked which of his players might address the waiting press corps.

“They should interview the refs. They were just as important,” he said in front of a large group of reporters.

Rivers tried his best to hide his displeasure with the way a physical, defensive battle was called and favored the home team, but it was hard. With the Cavaliers outscoring the Celtics by 10 points from the free-throw line and being called for nine fewer fouls, it was very, very hard.

“I thought they were allowed to play very physical,” Rivers said. “I thought we drove just as hard as them. They ended up at the line a lot more.”

The Cavaliers took advantage of the calls and worked just as hard as the Celtics to keep this physical, entertaining series alive for one more game. A Game Seven, Boston’s second in this playoff run, will be played tomorrow afternoon at 3:30, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Unlike the first Game Seven with the Atlanta Hawks, this one features a showdown with the always-dangerous LeBron James and the Cavs. James was his usual spectacular self in this must-win game as he led the Cavs with 32 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Delonte West (10 points) was the only other double-figure scorer for a Cavs team that shot just 33 percent and still ended up the victors.

“It’s one game and we’re going to let our hair down and go into Boston and try to steal one,” said James.

Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 25 points and Paul Pierce added 16. The Celtics needed to put warning flares out to find the games of their starting backcourt, Rajon Rondo (two points, three turnovers) and Ray Allen (3 of 8, 9 points).

“I thought we played great defensively and did all the things we need to do,” said Pierce. “Offense could’ve been a little bit better. Turnovers killed us a little and offensive rebounds hurt.”

Asked about a second Game-Seven situation, Pierce said, “We’ll be ready. I’m sure our fans will be ready.”

The Celtics led for most of the first half but faltered late and trailed, 42-33. The Cavs built leads of as many as 16 points in the third quarter, but a Boston rally in the fourth made for an interesting finish.

The Celtics cut the Cavalier lead to 65-60 midway through the fourth quarter, but James scored on a killer spin move to the hoop and then hit an off-balance 20-footer that gave his team some needed breathing room. A Wally Szczerbiak 3-pointer gave the Cavs a 72-63 lead with two minutes left, but the big play came a bit later. With the Celts down 72-67, Pierce drove the lane and was called for an offensive foul with James on defense.

Rivers, and the entire Celtics bench, was clearly irked on the call. The Celtic got another stop and Allen made two free throws to make it 72-69, but Joe Smith was fouled with 14 seconds. He made two shots for a 74-69 lead, just enough to save the night for the home team.

The Celtics blew a great opportunity to control the game in the opening 24 minutes. The Celts led for most of the half and were up by six with six minutes left but completely self-destructed down the stretch and trailed by 42-33 at the break.

Boston missed its last 10 shots of the half, racked up too many turnovers (nine in the half) and was outscored, 17-2, to close the second quarter. The slide continued into the third quarter and finally ended at 24-2 to fall behind, 49-33. Boston missed 16 straight shot in the skid.

Garnett sparked a third quarter comeback and the Celts trailed 59-50 after three.

kmcnamar@projo.com