CLEVELAND – Jayson Tatum scored 22 factors, Derrick White added 20 and the Boston Celtics confirmed their championship make-up down the stretch with a 112-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night time in a matchup of the Jap Convention’s prime groups.
The defending NBA titlists executed within the remaining minutes and held off the Cavs, who misplaced for simply the fourth time in 28 house video games.
Kristaps Porzingis added 19 factors and Jaylen Brown 16 with 9 rebounds as Boston received its fourth straight and improved to 2-1 in opposition to Cleveland this season.
Donovan Mitchell scored 31 factors and Darius Garland 25 for the Cavs, who lower a 15-point deficit to 4 within the fourth quarter.
However the Celtics, who’ve received 4 straight, did not buckle and responded in each essential second to place away the Cavs.
Jarrett Allen had 17 factors and 18 rebounds for Cleveland.
Takeaways
Celtics: Porzingis’ presence makes Boston that a lot more durable to defend. The 7-foot-3 massive man was injured and missed final 12 months’s playoff collection in opposition to Cleveland. The Cavs frequently obtained caught making dangerous switches whereas making an attempt to protect Porzingis.
Cavaliers: All-Star Evan Mobley had a tough night time. He completed with simply 7 factors on 3 of 14 taking pictures and did not make a major influence at both finish. Mobley not too long ago returned from a calf harm and would not appear to have his explisiveness again.
Key second
After the Cavs pulled inside 4 late within the fourth, White hit a brief jumper adopted by back-to-back 3-pointers to provide Boston a 107-97 lead with 2:41 left.
Key stat
Cleveland began simply 1 of 14 on 3-pointers and completed 11 of 39 (28%) behind the arc. They’ve made not less than 10 3s in 55 straight video games.
Up subsequent
On Thursday, the Celtics host Dallas, which simply acquired Anthony Davis from the Lakers in a famous person swap for Luka Doncic. The Cavaliers are in Detroit on Wednesday.
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