Celtics Topple Cavaliers, 109-102, in Gutsy Game 4 Win
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109-102, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday night in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Celtics lead the series, 3-1.
The Celtics (7-2 postseason) came into the night with the built-in advantage provided by the absence of Donovan Mitchell, who was confirmed out for the Cavaliers (5-6 postseason) due to a calf injury. Boston did indeed establish a 37-30 lead through one, but Cleveland continued to fight in the absence of its biggest star and had cut its deficit to five by halftime. The hosts then got off to a fast third-quarter start that peaked when they took a brief 65-64 edge, but they would only score 37 points the rest of the way as the visitors turned the defense up a notch and held off a few late rallies.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 33 points, adding 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Jaylen Brown furnished 27 points, eight boards and one assist. Jrue Holiday delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Payton Pritchard netted 11 points.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 30 points, complementing them with seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert generated matching 19-point, three-assist tallies while pulling down nine and five rebounds, respectively. Max Strus supplied 15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The series now shifts back to TD Garden in Boston, where Game 5 unfolds Wednesday night.
The Celtics (7-2 postseason) came into the night with the built-in advantage provided by the absence of Donovan Mitchell, who was confirmed out for the Cavaliers (5-6 postseason) due to a calf injury. Boston did indeed establish a 37-30 lead through one, but Cleveland continued to fight in the absence of its biggest star and had cut its deficit to five by halftime. The hosts then got off to a fast third-quarter start that peaked when they took a brief 65-64 edge, but they would only score 37 points the rest of the way as the visitors turned the defense up a notch and held off a few late rallies.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 33 points, adding 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Jaylen Brown furnished 27 points, eight boards and one assist. Jrue Holiday delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Payton Pritchard netted 11 points.
Darius Garland paced the Cavaliers with 30 points, complementing them with seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert generated matching 19-point, three-assist tallies while pulling down nine and five rebounds, respectively. Max Strus supplied 15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
The series now shifts back to TD Garden in Boston, where Game 5 unfolds Wednesday night.
Thunder Defeat Mavs, 100-96, Tie Series at 2-2
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the host Dallas Mavericks, 100-96, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at American Airlines Center on Monday.
This series is tied 2-2.
Dallas held the lead for over 40 minutes of this game, with Oklahoma City riding a 57-42 second half to their comeback win. They trailed 86-80 with 5:42 remaining but ripped off a 12-2 run to take command of this game. Oklahoma City shot 96 percent from the free-throw line (23-of-24), while Dallas shot just 52 percent (12-of-23). Amazingly, the Mavericks outperformed the Thunder in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, assists, rebounds, blocks and paint points. OKC did win the turnover battle, 13-7.
The Thunder (2-2) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 34 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Chet Holmgren collected 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Luguent Dort amassed 17 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Williams totaled 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.
The Mavericks (2-2) were led by PJ Washington, providing 21 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Doncic had 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Derrick Jones generated 17 points, three rebounds and four blocks, while Kyrie Irving compiled nine points and nine assists. Daniel Gafford accrued 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
These teams will play Game 5 in OKC on Wednesday.
This series is tied 2-2.
Dallas held the lead for over 40 minutes of this game, with Oklahoma City riding a 57-42 second half to their comeback win. They trailed 86-80 with 5:42 remaining but ripped off a 12-2 run to take command of this game. Oklahoma City shot 96 percent from the free-throw line (23-of-24), while Dallas shot just 52 percent (12-of-23). Amazingly, the Mavericks outperformed the Thunder in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, assists, rebounds, blocks and paint points. OKC did win the turnover battle, 13-7.
The Thunder (2-2) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 34 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. Chet Holmgren collected 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Luguent Dort amassed 17 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Williams totaled 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.
The Mavericks (2-2) were led by PJ Washington, providing 21 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Doncic had 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. Derrick Jones generated 17 points, three rebounds and four blocks, while Kyrie Irving compiled nine points and nine assists. Daniel Gafford accrued 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
These teams will play Game 5 in OKC on Wednesday.