LeBron James scored 21 of his 38 points in the first quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 124-95 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday night, handing Boston its worst home playoff loss ever and taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals.

Showing no ill-effects of an elbow problem that was the talk of Cleveland during the long layoff, James finished with eight rebounds and seven assists. The 21 points in a quarter was a franchise postseason record.

Antawn Jamison had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland, while Shaquille O’Neal added 12 points and nine rebounds.

Rajon Rondo, who had 19 assists in Boston’s Game 2 victory on Monday, had 18 points and eight assists.

The Celtics were ice cold as they missed 10 of their first 13 shots, hitting just 27 percent in the first quarter to spot Cleveland a 21-point lead. The Cavs shot 67 percent from the field in the first — and 59 percent for the game — and the Celts was never able to recover.

Game 4 is Sunday, and the Celtics need a victory to split their home games and assure themselves of another.

In other NBA playoff action:

• The Phoenix Suns moved one step closer to making a return to the Western Conference Finals as they rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 110-96; taking a 3-0 series lead. Goran Dragic sparked the rally; scoring 23 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter.

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