The Lakers will take on either the defending NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs or the New Orleans Hornets in the conference final. The Spurs face the Hornets in the series decider in New Orleans on Tuesday.

Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett (left) leaps past Cleveland Cavaliers' Zydrunas Ilgauskas during Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday.

In Cleveland, James also registered 12 rebounds and six assists as the Cavs delivered an impressive performance on home court to level the best-of-seven series at 3-3.

Kevin Garnett was top scorer for Boston with 25 points and eight rebounds while Paul Pierce contributed 16 points.

The Celtics got just two points from guard Rajon Rondo, who scored 20 in their Game 5 win.

The Cavaliers led 59-50 going into the fourth quarter but had to weather a late rally by the conference's top-seeded Celtics.

Boston's point total was the second lowest in franchise playoff history and the fewest points ever given up by Cleveland in the postseason.

Cleveland's victory sets up a series decider in Boston tomorrow. The home team has won every game in the series.

"We feel good but it's just one game," James said. "We had a game tonight where we could have gone down and it would have been over.

"It was a long game and we're going to let our hair down and then go into Boston and try to steal this one."

The winner of Game 7 will meet Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals. The Pistons won their series against Orlando 4-1.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 18, 2008)