Undermanned Celtics lose 118-114 to the Cavs in OT

Led by Jaylen Brown (32 factors, 13 rebounds, 9 assists), the Boston Celtics did not prevail towards the Cleveland Cavaliers in additional time on the second night time of a back-to-back after final night time’s double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks. Boston received actually beneficial contributions from the bench after duds throughout the board final night time, and protection plus rebounding actually put the Celtics on high. Predictably, Donovan Mitchell paced the Cavs with one other 40 factors.

Boston tied the franchise report for additional time video games in a single season with 11 such contests. That’s quite a lot of added mileage on the season with just a little beneath 20 video games left to go. Brown put in one other 40+ minutes after a heavy minutes load on Sunday.

Boston got here out far more centered and disciplined within the first half, transferring the ball round crisply whereas getting only a liiiittllleee assist from the referees. By constructing an early cushion, they have been in a position to face up to counter assaults from Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs. Boston shot the ball a lot better, and their protection was rather a lot cleaner regardless of that includes gamers who aren’t all the time within the rotation.

Blake Griffin and Mike Muscala began within the frontcourt rather than Al Horford and Robert Williams. Derrick White (12 factors) stepped in for Jayson Tatum who missed the sport with a left knee contusion. Malcolm Brogdon returned after two video games off because of proper ankle soreness, and his play made an enormous distinction. He poured in 24 factors and 5 assists.

Grant Williams (12 factors) had an instantaneous impression in his minutes off the bench regardless of being the final rotation participant to sub in. As an alternative of hesitating or placing the ball down on the ground, he was instantly pulling the set off on 3-pointers cashing in on all of them. Whereas his freethrow misses will stand out, he performed nicely tonight.

For the Cavs, they needed to battle foul hassle and a ton of turnovers that put them into an enormous gap early on. For the second sport in a row towards the Celtics, Jarrett Allen has had minimal impression on the sport. He was in foul hassle early on. Evan Mobley used his size on each ends to frustrate the Celtics, ending with 25 factors. That’s the extent of Mitchell’s assist as Darius Garland (17 factors) struggled from the sector till the very finish of the sport.

Staying in entrance of fast guards was a degree of emphasis coming into tonight after being carved up relentlessly within the final week. For probably the most half, the Cs have been profitable as they locked up Garland and compelled Mitchell into some actually robust pictures.

The Celtics began the night time taking pictures sizzling, however as that began to fall off, they made up for it with stable protection and actually good rebounding, limiting Cleveland’s possibilities and creating extra for themselves. After leaping out to an early lead, the Celtics largely have been in management for the remainder of the night earlier than the late-game collapse, fueled by a Cavs 14-4 run.

Again-to-back 3-pointers from Darius Garland and a few dangerous offense from the Celtics sparked a late Cavs run that stoked the fears of the Celtics’ behavior of letting their foot off the fuel. This was eerily much like final Wednesday’s sport, however this time, Cleveland got here all the way in which again. Jaylen Brown and Donovan Mitchell went blow for blow earlier than the latter took the lead with 24.7 seconds left.

All of that arrange for a Derrick White 3-pointer to fortunately bounce in with 12.8 seconds left. Donovan Mitchell received to the road with 5.8 seconds left, nailing each FTs. Payton Pritchard took the ball the size of the court docket to power a shot, resulting in a Grant Williams offensive putback try on which he was fouled. Sadly, Williams missed each FTs.

Boston stored going for home-run performs to start out OT, which is comprehensible given the minutes load of late. Sadly, they have been unable to capitalize. Cleveland went up by 4 factors, and Joe Mazzulla confirmed belief in Grant Williams, going to him as soon as once more. Williams bricked the 3-point try, and that was all she wrote.

The Celtics will tackle the Portland Path Blazers Wednesday night time at residence earlier than embarking on a protracted street journey that may take them all around the nation for 14 nights. They’re presently two video games out of the primary seed behind the Milwaukee Bucks.