Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum hits the ground after missing a shot on a drive to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
BOSTON– Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown also scored 25 and the Boston Celtics remained undefeated at home on Tuesday night with a 120-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.
Kristaps Porzingis had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Derrick White added 17 points and Boston held Cleveland scoreless for a span of 2 minutes and 40 seconds in the fourth quarter while ultimately defeating the Cavaliers, who had played on the road the night before. put aside.
Cleveland came out strong and dominated the first quarter. Boston was only able to pull away in the final minutes.
“This was a good win, especially considering the way we started the game. It could have gone south early,” Tatum said. “But we stuck with it and we were thankful that we were only 10 down in that first quarter.”
Donovan Mitchell had 29 points and Darius Garland scored 26 for the Cavaliers, who couldn’t overcome the cold spell in the fourth quarter. Cleveland was also outrebounded 45-35 in the opener of a two-game series and was outscored 26-6 at the foul line.
The teams will play again in Boston on Thursday.
Max Strus added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Cavs, who posted a season-high 19 3-pointers. Cleveland suffered a 104-94 loss in Orlando on Monday night as the Cavs scored just 15 points in the third quarter. Cleveland started off strong on Tuesday, opening the game on an 18-4 run, but couldn’t maintain the pace.
“I’m sure none of us are reaching career averages in points… it’s for the betterment of the team.”
Jayson Tatum talks about the Celtics starting 5 making sacrifices in scoring every night to help reach their ultimate goal, Banner 18 pic.twitter.com/BYIBsJeKlB
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 13, 2023
“They came out very aggressive and we came out a little less aggressive. They hit first,” said Porzingis, who scored 19 in the second half. “We were close at halftime, but in the second half I felt that we really went for it.”
Porzingis broke a 106-all tie midway through the fourth quarter when he earned back-to-back trips to the line and made all four free throws, then Tatum stepped back for a 3-pointer that put Boston ahead by 113-106 set with 4:26 remaining.
The Cavs hadn’t scored since an 18-foot jumper by Mitchell with 6:05 left in the fourth, tied at 106. But Cleveland didn’t score again until Jarrett Allen’s layup with 3:25 left pulled Cleveland within 113-108.
“I think they were better organized offensively. They kind of knew what they wanted to accomplish and they came in and shot,” Cavs swingman Caris LeVert said. “On the other hand, we were a bit disorganised, we didn’t always get the ball where we wanted it and they took advantage of it.”
Brown opened the second half with a layup and then hit a quick 3-pointer that gave Boston a 64-61 lead. Three straight 3-pointers from Mitchell put Cleveland back in front and the Cavs held the lead for much of the third quarter.
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Boston went back up when Tatum hit a 3-pointer for an 86-84 lead and Boston led 94-92 entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t get away with much.
Mitchell was called for a technical foul after complaining about an out-of-bounds call with 2:18 left in the second quarter. Tatum’s free throw made it 57-all, then a Brown layup put Boston ahead 59-57 for the Celtics’ first lead of the game.
