Cleveland Cavaliers star mentored JR Smith prior to teaching Boston Celtics a lesson

LeBron James' performance to help the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-0 NBA play-off series lead over the Boston Celtics started on Thursday morning.

The former Miami Heat star got to TD Garden at 0830 local time, one hour earlier than he was scheduled to.

James mentored team-mate JR Smith in that early practice session, and then showed him how it is done at night - as his 31 points and 11 rebounds powered the Cavs to a 103-95 victory in game three.

The four-time MVP said he and Smith wanted to make a point.

"We were together last night watching play-off games," James said.

"He [Smith] said he wanted to go early and I said, 'Let's go."'

Cavs coach David Blatt said there was no obligation for James to show up early.

"He didn't necessarily have to but he wanted to be with his team-mate," Blatt said.

Smith went six from 12 from the field to tally 15 points, including three three-pointers.

James' fellow forward Kevin Love posted 23 points to earn Blatt's praise.

"Kevin has been great," Blatt said.

"Maybe he didn't score as much in the second game as he did tonight, or in the first game, but he's been engaged at both ends."