The Boston Celtics lost 132-123 to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night at TD Garden. Boston moves to 3-2 on the season following a frustrating overtime affair, the club’s second loss in a row.
The athletic Cavaliers presented a unique challenge to an undersized Boston team. The Celtics coped as best they could, but defensive lapses remained. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert both took advantage, each dropping 41 in this one.
The Celtics themselves scored 75 in the first half, and at times the home team looked firmly in the driver’s seat. Cold shooting might have sealed Boston’s fate – the Celts went 4-17 from three in the second half and overtime. Ultimately Boston came up short. Here’s what you missed:
Boston's front court did what it could
Boston was without forward Grant Williams, who was serving a one-game suspension for making contact with a ref during Monday’s game against the Bulls. Though Williams isn’t the most physically imposing big in coach Mazzulla’s rotation, his absence may have contributed to Cleveland’s success at the rim.
Luke Kornet, Blake Griffin, and Noah Vonleh stepped in alongside Al Horford in the front court reasonably effectively. The Celtics played admirably against a tall and lengthy Cavs team, though it was perhaps not enough.
Cleveland ended the night with nine offensive rebounds and 42 rebounds overall. All the same, Boston managed 54 points in the paint, buoyed in part by a strong performance on the fast break.
Overall, Boston’s defense was not quite of the mustard cutting variety. Cleveland used its size to give the Celtics D everything it could handle, and Mitchell and LeVert were quick to expose any lapses.
Celtics, NBA Twitter react to Boston’s 132-123 overtime loss to the Cavaliers https://t.co/tmaKH4UraF
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 29, 2022
Boston's bench also held its own
When the Cavs jumped out to an early lead, it was Boston’s bench that helped right the ship. A nice performance from Malcolm Brogdon in particular really gave the Celtics a spark. He finished the game with nine points and five assists.
Boston’s bench offers coach Mazzulla flexibility in meeting a diverse array of challenges. With the Cavaliers dominating down low from the jump, the Celtics went small and fast to counter. And when it looked like Cleveland was ready to try and keep pace, Mazzulla was ready. At one point the Celtics played Brown, Tatum, Hauser, Horford, and Kornet – an extra tall group that challenge Cleveland’s resolve.
Cleveland wasn’t ready to go quietly into the night, however. Despite a 75-point explosion from Boston in the first half, the Cavs clawed back into the game, outscoring the C’s 51-39 in the third and fourth quarters. Cleveland firmly took control of the overtime period to secure a road victory. In the end, star power won the day, and Boston’s best players weren’t enough.
Why you shouldn’t sleep on Boston Celtics backup big Luke Kornet https://t.co/OUigH5XdJJ
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 28, 2022
It still begins and ends with Tatum and Brown
Through three quarters it looked as if Jayson Tatum was going to lead the Celtics to an easy victory. Even when things got sticky in the third, Tatum was keeping the Celts afloat. In the fourth quarter, however, Tatum went cold, and didn’t register any points for the entire frame.
Jaylen Brown, meanwhile, did his best to power Boston during crunch time. A pair of gutsy plays late in the fourth suggested Brown may indeed get Boston over the hump. But he too came up short.
Tatum and Brown each scored 32 points and still they were out-dueled by Mitchell and LeVert. Such is the nature of a star-driven league like the NBA. A stronger defensive showing might have helped Boston’s best players bring home a win, but alas.
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