The Celtics’ Ray Allen tries to dribble past the Cavs’ Ben Wallace, right, as Wally Szczerbiak comes up to defend.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

CLEVELAND — LeBron James has won bigger games in his pro basketball career but last night’s playoff win over the Celtics clearly was a fun one for the game’s youngest superstar.

James pulled the Cavaliers out of the fire in the final five minutes by hitting a 3-pointer, passing (for his 13th assist) to Daniel Gibson for a three and slamming home an ‘exclamation point’ dunk that brought the sellout crowd of 20,562 at Quicken Loans Arena to its feet with the 88-77 win.

After four games where James hasn’t shot the ball well (25 percent), he says the dunk was a welcome relief.

“It was a lot built up. Missing shots I normally make and turning the ball over,” James said. “I took it upon myself to continue to shoot and I made a big three. That [dunk] just capped it off for me. I was able to get up there and put the exclamation point on the game.”

James “posterized” the Celts with the memorable dunk. He came off a high screen, flew past Paul Pierce, kept running by James Posey and slammed the ball home with Kevin Garnett a step late covering the rim. “Once I turned the corner and I was able to get my 1-2 down, there’s not too many guys that can get up there and jump with me,” he said.

James had a funny moment during the game. After getting fouled hard by Pierce, he noticed that his mother was jawing at the Celtics. James entered the crowd and admonished his mom.

“I told her to sit down in language I shouldn’t have used,” he said. “Thank God today wasn’t Mothers Day.”

While the Celtics had a chance to steal Game Four, the Cavs made the crucial plays down the stretch. But with the series tied 2-2, the Cavs need to win in Boston to break ahead.

“I’m not surprised. They held down home court and we held down home court. That’s what good teams do,” said James. “Now the better team has to win on the road. The series doesn’t start until someone wins on the road and we’re looking forward to going to Boston and winning on the road.”

The Celtics realize they can win this series, and the NBA title, without winning a game on the road. That’s not the route they’d prefer.

“Hey, it’s a 2-2 series. Best of three [now],” said Pierce. “We’re still trying to get that road win so if we take care of business at home we can come back here and try to seal the deal.”

Why the season matters

NBA commissioner David Stern was at the game and spoke briefly to reporters. He says he’s not surprised that so many teams, including the best ones in the regular season, are running into trouble winning on the road.

“That’s why teams play all year for the home-court advantage,” he said. “I really think NBA fans feel it’s become their sacred obligation to lift their team. It clearly makes a difference going into a hostile arena.”

kmcnamar@projo.com