LeBron James scored 21 points, jamming in a powerhouse dunk over a defenseless Kevin Garnett in the final 2 minutes, as the host Cleveland Cavaliers beat the homesick Celtics, 88-77, in Game 4 last night to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Still stuck in a shooting slump, James dominated down the stretch and finished with 13 assists - four in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers held the Celtics to just 12 points in the final period.

Boston dropped to 0-5 on the road in the postseason, a stunning slip for a team that went 31-10 on the road during the regular season. During a short visit to Ohio, the Celtics lost their momentum in the series but now will head home, where they went 35-6 before the playoffs started.

Game 5 is tomorrow night, and Game 6 will be back in Cleveland on Friday.

James was just 7-for-20 from the floor, but he did everything else for the Cavs, who are attempting to overcome an 0-2 deficit for the second time in two years.

Noteworthy

Three Sixers received votes. Samuel Dalembert got three, including one first-team vote. Andre Iguodala got two votes and Andre Miller one.

Bryant, who is nursing a sore back, said he will play in Game 5 of the Lakers-Utah series, which resumes Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The series is tied.

* Mike D'Antoni wrapped up his negotiations with New York and will be introduced as the Knicks' new coach at a news conference today. *