Here’s What Stood Out as Celtics Completed Sweep of Two-Game Series vs. Cavaliers
The Boston Celtics improved to 9-4 in games within five points in the final five minutes this season, fending off the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 116-107 win.
The hosts of Thursday’s matchup also improved to 12-0 at TD Garden, completing the sweep of a two-tilt mini-series vs. Donovan Mitchell and Co.
At 18-5, Boston will either have sole possession of the NBA’s best record or continue sharing that distinction with the Minnesota Timberwolves, depending on if the latter keeps pace with a victory vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
While Mitchell led all scorers with 31 points, Jayson Tatum put 27 on the board. All five of the C’s starters reached double-figures, whereas the Cavaliers had three players do so.
That’s a reflection of how well the Celtics moved the ball most of the night, pairing it with a barrage of points off cuts, keeping everyone involved.
A 12-5 advantage in second-chance scoring and 17 points at the free-throw line were also difference-makers. Another crucial factor was how well Boston protected the perimeter, limiting Cleveland to 11/33 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc.
That proved most meaningful in a low-scoring final frame, where the hosts only produced 26 points but held the visitors to 20.
Now for a deep dive into what stood out as Thursday’s win unfolded.
1. After a slow start on Tuesday, the Celtics came out energized and aggressive on Thursday. Boston quickly built a 14-7 lead, producing eight of those points in the paint.
That includes this alley-oop from Jaylen Brown to Kristaps Porzingis.
2. While Boston only manufactured two more points in the paint in the opening period, the hosts entered the second frame leading 33-24.
They held the Cavaliers to 1/10 from beyond the arc and forced five turnovers. Granted, they also committed five.
But with Brown pacing all participants with nine points, Tatum generating seven, and the C’s making 6/10 threes, they maintained control of the game.
3. Cleveland committed six turnovers in a slow-paced, choppy second quarter. But they also parlayed five offensive rebounds into a 9-2 edge in second-chance points.
Still, with Boston scoring off baseline cuts, like when Brown swooped in from the baseline as Tatum attacked from the opposite side of the floor, leading to the latter dishing to the former for a dunk, the Celtics took a 65-54 advantage into halftime.
The hosts assisted on 7/11 field goals in the second frame and 13/23 in the first 24 minutes. Their ball movement consistently created quality shots.
Their aggressive approach also resulted in them going 8/8 at the free-throw line in the second period.
4. Donovan Mitchell, who often torches the C’s, put nine points on the board in the second quarter and led all scorers with 21 at halftime.
His quickness and ability to stop on a dime caused problems for every defender Boston threw at him. That included a filthy snatch-back dribble before slamming on the breaks to separate from his good friend Jaylen Brown, then bury a mid-range jumper.
But Mitchell was the Cavaliers’ only player to score in double-figures in the first half. Conversely, Boston had three starters that did so. Brown paced the hosts with 18 points. Porzingis had 15, and Tatum registered 11.
5. The effectiveness of Porzingis’ screens is crucial to the Celtics’ consistency on offense. A prime example came in the third frame when he did that well enough to force Jarrett Allen to switch on to Jrue Holiday.
The latter attacked the visitors’ center off the dribble, getting to the cylinder for an uncontested layup.
Forcing the opposing five to switch onto the two-time All-Star on the perimeter is something this author would like to see more of. It’s an impactful way to allow Holiday, a more natural scorer than a facilitator, as willing as he is to do the latter, to do what he does best offensively. And it’ll make their offense more dynamic and produce more points in the paint and, likely, at the free-throw line.
6. Unfortunately for the hosts, who have been better in the third quarter in their last two tilts, wins against Cleveland and the New York Knicks, they backslid in this area on Thursday.
Boston committed four turnovers, giveaways being a problem throughout the first 36 minutes. It led to ten points for the visitors in the first 12 minutes after intermission.
The Celtics also struggled to contain Caris LeVert, who led all scorers with 15 points in the period.
Between those two factors, one trip to the foul line, and faring 2/6 from beyond the arc, the hosts clung to a 90-87 edge entering the final frame.
7. With Porzingis’ pick-and-pop threes not falling and Boston going 3/13 on fourth-quarter threes, the last 12 minutes were a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair.
But the Celtics stayed locked in on defense, limiting the Cavaliers to 20 points and only four three-point attempts until the visitors hoisted two more in the final 20 seconds with the outcome already decided.
That and 10 points in the paint were enough to earn a sweep in this two-game series.
8. The Celtics’ next game is Friday night at TD Garden, where they will host the Orlando Magic. Tip-off is at 7:30 EST.
