If there is one thing the should Cavs have learned in four games against the Boston Celtics in their semifinal playoff series – it should be somehow they have to stop Celtics guard Rajon Rando. They haven’t done it yet, and didn’t do it Sunday, which is why this best of 7 fight is now tied 2-2 after the Celtics took home game four 97-87 in Boston.

All Rando did was put up 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists. He was the best player on the floor all day, better than LeBron James or any other Cavalier, and a huge reason why it’s now down to a best of three with the Cavs at least on a positive note having the home floor advantage.

Even LeBron himself seemed impressed with how Rando seemed to dominate the court on Sunday. “I think it starts with Rondo. He’s kind of the engine that really gets them going,” James said. “He does everything for them. His performance was unbelievable. Rondo was definitely the difference maker.”

And if the Cavs don’t start doing a better job against him in the course of the next 2-3 games, they very well may have to be on the outside looking in for the Eastern Conference Finals. Sunday the Cavs got off to the same fast start they did on Friday when they crushed the Celtics, as they went up 7-0 to start the game.

Boston though showed that resolve that has made them champions in the past. They quickly got back in the game, and with Rando leading the way by the time the first quarter was done Boston led 31-22, and the Cavs seemed a bit shell shocked.

The Cavs trailed 54-45 at the half, and were down most of the third quarter until late when they finally got within two at the end of the quarter. Boston though started the fourth quarter with a big run, and the Cavs couldn’t recover, and by the time it was done the series was back to even.

“Boston was more aggressive and we have to try and do it for 48 minutes,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “The most aggressive team is going to win.”

And the Cavs better get more aggressive. James had just 22 points, which is only one more than he had in just one quarter of game three Friday when the Cavs crushed Boston. The rest of the team was competitive, but just didn’t have that killer instinct from two nights ago.

Shaquille O’Neal had 17 points, and Antwan Jamison had 14, but they just didn’t show the same spark on either side of the ball. It was an effort that needs to be better if this team is going to move on.

The most critical game of the season will be Tuesday night at home at 8pm.