Five thoughts following Game 4 of the Cavs-Boston series - an inspiring 88-77 Cavs win that has the series tied at 2 games each.

1. What's been the one major development in this series that's been totally ignored and overlooked?

The refs getting a grip.

After ruining Game 1 with their over-officiating, the refs have given the Cavs and Celtics more leeway to play physical basketball without constantly calling fouls.

*Which has allowed Cavs big men Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joe Smith, Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao to aggressively contest and/or block layups and drives by the Celtics - with little fear of getting in major foul trouble.

*Which, in turn, has obviously begun to intimidate numerous Celtics from consistently driving to the basket. Did anyone else notice the moment in Game 4 when Celtics guard Sam Cassell - terrified that his shot would be heavily challenged and no foul called - shied away from driving to the hoop and settled for a poor short shot ?

(Cassell was so mad at himself for allowing himself to be punked by the Cavs intimidation tha cameras later caught him on the bench, cussing at himself.)

2. OK, Junkyard will eat a little (temporary) crow for doubting whether Cavs swingman Wally Szczerbiak could actually string together two solid games in a playoff series. Szczerbiak had an impressive Game 4 to go along with a solid Game 3. Still, the key word in that sentence is "temporary."

3. For years, we thought some Boston fans were a tad harsh in labeling Celtics star Paul Pierce a "choker" for his postseason play over the years. But now Junkyard's thinking that, hmmm, maybe those fans are right: During crucial moments during this series, Pierce's body language actually seems to scream:
"DON'T YOU PASS THAT BALL TO ME!!!! IF YOU DO, IT'S COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF MY HANDS BACK TO ONE OF Y'ALL!!!

It's inexcusable for a veteran All-Star player with as much puffed-up hype as Pierce to disappear so thoroughly during big games.

4. This is hard to believe - given that Boston won 66 games during the regular season - but it's actually easier to see Cleveland going on the road and beating the Celtics in Game 5 than the latter defeating the Cavs here in Game 6.

5. Some commentators are getting carried when they suggest that the monster dunk by Cavs star LeBron James in the final minutes of Game 4 will leave some psychological scars on Boston for Game 5. That won't happen - any more than James will be traumatized for cursing at his momma, Gloria, for leaving her courtside seat and stepping in between LeBron and Paul Pierce after the latter's hard foul on her baby.

Um, by the way, you know, there is a solution that can prevent LeBron - and his mother - from having such embarrassing episodes on national TV in the future.

It's called a "Quicken Loans Arena Luxury Suite seat."

For comments, questions and other stuff, e-mail Brown at junkyard@sportstimeohio.com