CLEVELAND (AP) — The elbow’s fine.

Hours before receiving his second straight MVP award, LeBron James scored 35 points and Mo Williams added 20 as the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed back in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 101-93 on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

James, playing with a sprained and bruised right elbow, delivered yet another memorable performance as the Cavs withstood a furious punch from the Celtics, who led by 11 in the third.

James, who also had seven rebounds and seven assists, drained a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left to put Boston away.

Rajon Rondo had 27 points and 12 assists and Kevin Garnett finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics.

Game 2 is Monday night.

BOSTON (93)

Pierce 5-17 2-2 13, Garnett 9-20 0-0 18, Perkins 4-7 1-2 9, Rondo 7-10 12-14 27, R.Allen 6-14 0-0 14, Davis 2-5 1-2 5, Wallace 1-5 0-0 2, T.Allen 2-2 1-1 5, Finley 0-1 0-0 0, Daniels 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 36-81 17-21 93.

CLEVELAND (101)

James 12-24 8-11 35, Jamison 2-6 3-6 7, O’Neal 4-12 3-4 11, M.Williams 8-14 4-5 20, Parker 1-3 0-0 2, Ilgauskas 0-1 0-0 0, West 4-6 0-0 8, Varejao 1-4 2-2 4, Moon 1-1 0-0 3, Hickson 5-7 1-3 11. Totals 38-78 21-31 101.

Boston 26 28 24 15 — 93

Cleveland 20 23 36 22 — 101

3-Point Goals—Boston 4-16 (R.Allen 2-7, Rondo 1-1, Pierce 1-6, Finley 0-1, Wallace 0-1), Cleveland 4-12 (James 3-6, Moon 1-1, Parker 0-1, Jamison 0-1, M.Williams 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Boston 49 (Perkins 11), Cleveland 50 (Jamison 9). Assists—Boston 20 (Rondo 12), Cleveland 18 (James 7). Total Fouls—Boston 25, Cleveland 17. Technicals—T.Allen. A—20,