While the Cavs got help from their bench, Boston’s reserves didn’t do much. James Posey scored 11 but Sam Cassell, who has given the Celtics lift, went 0-for-6 and scored one point in 18 minutes.

“It’s probably the worst game we’ve played since I’ve been a part of the Celtics,” said Cassell, who joined the Celtics in March. “Unfortunately, it came at the wrong time. We’ve got to regroup and get our swagger back, get going in the first quarter, this is the second night in a row they came out blasting us in the first quarter.”

Before the game, James said a few “easy baskets” might help him get started.

His first one was both simple — and strong.

With the Cavs leading 10-4, James poked the ball away from Pierce near the free throw line and broke free for a two-handed, stare-at-the-rim dunk that sent Cleveland’s hyped crowd into a frenzy. Wallace scored twice underneath and Szczerbiak’s two free throws put the Cavaliers up 18-6.

James’ next basket was a 3-pointer during a 9-0 spurt that Cleveland a 27-8 lead on its way to a 19-point advantage after one.

The Cavaliers were leading 39-17 in the second quarter when this series had its first moment of tension.

As he was driving to the basket, James was grabbed around the neck by Posey and fell awkwardly in the lane. He laid face down on the floor as both teams exchanged angry words and Anderson Varejao and Posey earned technicals for their exuberance.

The officials huddled and gave Posey a flagrant-1 for the hard foul, which seemed to deter the teams from more rough stuff.

Cleveland maintained its double-digit lead throughout the second half, and closed out a game it had to have. No team has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit, something the Cavs don’t have to worry about now.

Notes: Varejao, who would have started if Wallace couldn’t go, left in the second quarter with a bruised right knee. He came back and played 2½ minutes in the third. ... There’s no doubt about Garnett’s passion on the hoop court, but Cavs 7-foot-3 C Zydrunas Ilgauskas has his doubts about the Boston superstar’s love of soccer. Ilgauskas is a big fan — literally — of powerful Manchester United, which is battling Chelsea for the English Premier League title. The teams will also meet on May 21 in Moscow in the Champions League final. Ilgauskas was told Garnett was a Chelsea supporter. “He’s a fake fan,” Ilgauskas laughed. “What, did he become a fan when he went to London?”

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