Boston Celtics played to shock the un-beaten Cleveland Cavaliers 120-117 in an electrifying NBA Cup match-up at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
Cavs’ scorching start loses steam
Also, the Cavaliers, owners of the NBA’s best mark to date at 15-0, was averaging 33.4 points in the first quarter. Boston’s defense shut off the Cavaliers’ engine, limiting them to a season-low 20 first-quarter points.
Tatum in the Lead
Jayson Tatum was on fire for the Celtics, scoring 17 points in the first half and hitting a buzzer-beating trey right at the end of the third quarter. He ended the evening with a big 33-point triple-double (12 rebounds, 7 assists).
Horford Steps Up in Boston
Boston’s Al Horford also had a good night with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and a game-high 3 blocks.
Cavalliers Just Go for It True to the players’ standards, the Cavaliers did not roll over. In the third quarter, they completely out-scored the Celtics, bringing a 21-point gap down to only 5 by the start of the fourth quarter.
Garland Struggles
On the other side, Cleveland’s primary point guard Darius Garland was bad, only hitting 3 of 21 shots, missing all 6 of his three-point tries.
Mitchell Keeps Scoring
And even as Donovan Mitchell and the other Cav superstar chalked up 35 points, it still was not to overcome the wall erected in his face by Boston’s defense.
What to look for This very close game is a prelude to what’s in store because these two Eastern Conference giants are going to meet again on December 6th.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.