On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-107 to increase their home record to 12-0. Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, while Jaylen Brown added 22.
On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 116-107 to increase their home record to 12-0. Jayson Tatum scored 27 points, while Jaylen Brown added 22.
Boston triumphed for the sixth time in seven games overall, this time at TD Garden against the Cavaliers after a victory on Tuesday.
For the Celtics, who lead the Eastern Conference in points scored, Derrick White scored 14, Jrue Holiday scored 15, and Kristaps Porzingis contributed eighteen. Each of the five starting players scored in double digits, and Tatum added 11 rebounds.
Holiday remarked, “I think we were locked in, attention to detail.” “In this game, we were able to make plays in the closing moments and kind of controlled the game from start to finish.”
Cleveland was led by Donovan Mitchell, who scored 31 points, Caris LeVert, who scored 26, and Darius Garland, who scored 19. The Cavs have dropped their last three games.
The Celtics regained control of the game after having their double-digit lead down to three points going into the fourth quarter. With eight and a half minutes remaining, Tatum ignited a rapid scoring run with a step-back and a fadeaway 3-pointer, increasing Boston’s advantage to 101-91.
With 3:01 remaining, LeVert’s driving basket gave Cleveland a one-point lead, 107-102. However, with 1:53 remaining, Holiday made a layup and Tatum followed Cleveland’s mistake with a dunk.
To be honest, I felt we could have performed much better, remarked Brown. “I felt that we were a touch too sluggish and let them keep the game was fairly close. That could be risky while playing some teams because they are close to the ball and could heat up at any time. We need to put teams away more skillfully.
After trailing by double digits for the majority of the third quarter and appearing to be playing sluggishly, Garland’s late-game surge to the hoop followed by a left-handed scoop gave the Cavaliers hope. After that, he closed the gap to 90-87 by sinking a three-pointer from the top with 0.3 seconds remaining in the shot clock.
In contrast to Tuesday’s triumph, where the Celtics trailed by 15 points in the first quarter, they exploited a calm ball movement that produced multiple open looks and excellent outside shooting.
Halfway in the second quarter, Brown’s right-corner three put the Cavaliers ahead by 14.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla stated, “I think it’s growth to be constantly challenged throughout the season.” “Over the course of the last two games, I’ve seen our guys really work to execute and play together, kind of staying at a certain level.”
Boston led 65-54 at the half after shooting 56.1% in the first half, including 8 of 17 3-pointers.
Despite Mitchell scoring 21 points in the first half, the Cavaliers missed 16 of their 20 attempts from beyond the arc. With the exception of Mitchell, all Cleveland players missed 50% of their field goals in the first half.
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated, “I don’t think that we came out as aggressive and assertive as we needed to.” “We did pick it up, but I felt we settled (for shots) a little early.”
Boston was 17 of 20 from the foul line after making all 26 free throws in the victory on Tuesday.