Celtics Break The Cavs Undefeated Streak
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-117 in a thrilling NBA Cup matchup that resulted in the Celtics handing the Cavs their first lose of the season. This was the matchup everyone had circled. The two best teams in the east, the defending champs vs. the best record in the NBA. The Cavs were without Issac Okoro and Caris Lavert, and the Celtics got back Jrue Holiday who was out of the game against the Raptors on Saturday.
The player of the game was Jayson Tatum, and are we surprised at all? JT has had his best games this season, in primetime, against the best opponents. Scoring 33 points on 50% shooting, while going 6/10 from deep. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals to go along with it. If you weren’t already aware, JT is one of the best players in the NBA, and is making a push for the MVP. He is taking control of ball games when he needs to, he is playing very good defense, and he is taking care of the ball. He improved his shooting, and looks so much more comfortable than ever before, and he is letting the league know they should not have let him get all this ammo to put right back in their face.
Some other note-worthy performances for the Celtics came from Al Horford, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown. Big Al had a vintage game, scoring 20 points on 63% shooting, and going 4/5 from 3. He also got 7 rebounds and 3 blocks to go along with his big scoring night. Derrick White continued to do Derrick White things. 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists on 58% shooting from the field. He is one of the most versatile players in the NBA, and impacts winning on all levels. And Jaylen Brown, who didn’t have the best shooting night, only making 41.2% of his FGA. But it was down the stretch and in the clutch where he really showed up, and was able to provide some cushion for the Celtics to help close out the game.
The Cavs did not back down at all. Donovan Mitchell was their best player scoring 35 points, getting 8 rebounds and 3 assists, all on 44% shooting. Evan Mobley continued his great start to the season with a 22, 11 and 6 performance while also getting 1 steal and 1 block, and shooting 61%. Craig Porter Jr. stepped up big for the Cavs scoring 15 points on 75% shooting, and going perfect from 3 on 3 attempts.
The Celtics were able to get up to a 20 plus point lead in the 3rd quarter, but the Cavs chipped away and were able to fight back to make it as close as a 1 possession game. But the Celtics didn’t let it get out of hand. Anytime the Cavs would make a shot, the Celtics would respond. A stop for Cleveland, a stop for Boston on the other end. The Celtics showed the true damage of the Celtics in the first half, they got complacent and had to get gritty and find a way to win, and that is exactly what they did.
The Celtics next game is friday, another NBA cup matchup against the Wizards, in Washington, and the Cavs head back to Cleveland to play the second night of a back to back against the Pelicans.
