Boston Celtics Overcome Slow Start, Secure Gritty 116-107 Win Against Cleveland Cavaliers

In a game marked by a slow start against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics showcased resilience and determination to grind out a hard-fought 116-107 victory on Thursday night at TD Garden.

Motivated to take charge from the outset, the Celtics altered their game plan, with Jayson Tatum actively facilitating early plays by providing back-to-back assists. Derrick White’s versatile performance, including a notable putback layup, contributed to Boston’s strong start. However, an unexpected setback occurred as Luke Kornet was ruled out due to left abductor tightness before even entering the game.

Despite challenges in the frontcourt depth, exacerbated by Neemias Queta’s absence, Boston managed to maintain its lead. Jaylen Brown, known for his first-quarter prowess, led the Celtics’ offense with nine points, complemented by an emphatic slam and an alley-oop connection with Kristaps Porzingis.

While Donovan Mitchell posed a scoring threat for the Cavaliers, Boston held a 33-24 lead after the first quarter, primarily due to a significant three-point shooting disparity. The Celtics capitalized on six of their 10 attempts, while the Cavaliers struggled, making only one of their 10 shots from beyond the arc.

The second quarter saw Payton Pritchard making an immediate impact, hustling for a contested rebound and assisting Al Horford for a layup. Despite a slower start, Boston maintained a solid three-point shooting percentage, entering halftime with a 65-54 lead. Brown and Porzingis led the scoring charge for the Celtics, while Mitchell continued to shine for the Cavaliers with 21 points.

The second half witnessed Darius Garland’s early exit due to a collision, but the Cavaliers managed to stay competitive. Jrue Holiday’s contributions and Brown’s consistent scoring kept Boston ahead. The Celtics showcased impressive ball movement, punishing the Cavaliers for defensive lapses.

Despite moments of defensive lapses and Cleveland’s offensive resurgence led by Caris LeVert, Boston retained a narrow lead at the end of the third quarter, with a score of 90-87.

In the final quarter, Tatum took charge, scoring crucial points and delivering a massive rejection on Garland. The Celtics intensified their defensive efforts, with Lamar Stevens making a significant impact off the bench. Brown, the leading scorer for Boston, made a pivotal hustle play, securing a contested rebound and setting up Jrue Holiday for a layup.

Tatum’s late-game heroics, including powerful dunks, solidified Boston’s victory. The balanced offensive performance featured all five starters accumulating at least 14 points. Despite challenges in stretching their lead, the Celtics managed to secure the 116-107 win.

Next on the schedule, the Celtics will host the Orlando Magic on Friday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. EST at TD Garden.