BOSTON - Let's start off by saying that the Boston Celtics' fan base has a reputation as a loyal, supportive and rowdy crowd while rooting for their home team in postseason play.

They didn't need the use of a prompter telling when to cheer or boo during Thursday's Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They were engaged and on top of it. Their enthusiasm and energy level instilled life into a team that is drastically overmatched.

The Celtics' fans were the team's real Sixth Man, not Isaiah Thomas -- who scored a series-low five points. However, the same fans who provided such a momentum boost are the same ones who contributed to the Celtics' downfall.

They spewed some of the most offensive and demeaning insults imaginable. It might have caused the late Richard Pryor to cringe (OK, maybe not). And they never let up. This went on from the first quarter to the closing minutes. Some of the taunts were creative, but a lot was horrendous and classless.

Most of the malicious jeers were aimed towards LeBron James, as they attacked his mother, manhood and anything else they could conceive.

A nice, sweet-looking young lady screamed, "LeBron's a b****," from the top of her lungs, and then she looked around to see everyone's response with an innocent-looking grin on her face.

James was booed every time he touched the ball. They never allowed him for a second to think that he was playing at The Q, which proved to be a costly mistake.

"I love road games in the playoffs," James admitted afterwards. "I get up for those games even more than home games. I love that adversity that comes with it. I love going against the opposing fans, the opposing teams and everything that comes with it."

The wise line of attack would have been for the fans to simply leave James alone. Perhaps even cheering for him. Kevin Love had a fine game with 23 points and nine boards, but no other Cavalier was having a great game. Kyrie Irving was only 3-of-11 from the field.

In 42 minutes of play, a motivated James carried his team to a hard-fought victory by producing game highs with 31 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, while adding four assists.

You could tell he relished the moment, the atmosphere and the hostility.

Maybe if James wasn't constantly told throughout the game about how much of a wreck he is, he may have coasted and the Celtics could have potentially made the series interesting.

In the third quarter as James continued to dominate, sensing their verbal jabs were ineffective, a man who appeared to be in his mid-40s stood up and yelled, "All right, we need to shut the hell up now."

Those were words of wisdom, but it was too late. James was already in a groove.

Celtics fans are a passionate and sophisticated bunch, but they allowed their emotions and hatred/fear of James to get the best of them. You don't wake a sleeping giant. You let him be. In the end, they ate those words.

Larry Bird and Kevin McHale aren't walking through that tunnel. Boston isn't equipped with the personnel to back up such verbal punches dished out by the fans.

So a few immortal words from Dr. Seuss: The three words that best describe Celtic fans' methods on Thursday are as follows and I quote: Stink. Stank. Stunk.

Boston, enjoy your final game on Sunday.