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After holding onto a slim three-point lead at halftime, the Boston Celtics (45-18) detonated on the Cleveland Cavaliers (39-26) in the third quarter and led by as much as 21. Jayson Tatum was a big part of that, totaling 18 of his 41, as Boston moves to 37-3 when they are up at halftime. It would still be a narrow victory for the Celtics with them holding on, 118-113.
Quarters one and two were highly competitive and reminiscent of these two teams contests earlier this season. Cleveland notched the first two wins in this best of four season series. But, Tatum and the Celtics made sure that things would be different this time around.
Early on though, the All Star Game MVP struggled in the first quarter, scoring two points. Tatum quickly turned it around showed why he was able to break the points record in the All Star Game. His full, efficient arsenal was on display as he was able to get to the basket, draw fouls, drain the three ball, or hit shots from the mid range. Tatum also accumulated eight of the team’s 27 assists.
Sharing the ball is a breeze when you have as deep a team as the Celtics do. The starting five all reached double figures, with the 15-year veteran, Al Horford, continuing to produce even into the back end of his career. He was flawless from the floor up until the final few minutes in the fourth. But finishing 8-10 and tying your career-high in threes made (6) to pair with 23 points and 11 rebounds is a pretty solid performance nonetheless.
Jaylen Brown contributed 16, Robert Williams had 11 points and rebounds and shot 4-4, and former Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, added 14.
Donovan Mitchell would not quit though in the second half. Even with Boston going on a rampage, the four-time All Star showed why he is the leader of this Cavaliers franchise. With around six minutes in the third he collapsed on the court awkwardly after losing his ground. He slapped the court in frustration but continued to will his teammates to a win.
Mitchell scored 19 in the third while the rest of the Cavaliers mustered seven points on 3-11 shooting. He also did not sit out until about a minute and a half remained in regulation. Cleveland also cut the lead to 107-94 with under five minutes, however, Tatum would nail a triple to push it back to 16.
It would be a case of too little too late, as Darius Garland swished two deep threes to cut it to 108-113. Unlike Cleveland, who struggled from the free throw line (13-21), Boston was able to close it out on that end (23-28). Mitchell did not have enough offensive power behind his 44 point outing.
He joined LeBron James as the second player in Cavaliers history to have multiple 40-point games in Boston.
Garland dropped 29 (5-9 3PT) and nine assists, but he caught fire too late for Cleveland to have a realistic look at a comeback.
UP NEXT
Since returning back to action, Cleveland is 1-3. They now sit two games out of third place in the Eastern Conference behind Philadelphia. They will look to inch closer with a matchup on Saturday with the Pistons. Boston stays at the TD Garden for Friday’s game against the Nets.
