The Boston Celtics defeated the severely undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 in Game 4 on Monday night to establish a commanding 3-1 lead in their East playoff series. Jayson Tatum scored 33 points while LeBron James watched from a courtside seat.
The Celtics can eliminate Cleveland with a victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night at home thanks to Jaylen Brown’s 27 points.
If needed, Friday’s game would return to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
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Although Cleveland had struggled with injuries all season, it was a significant ask for the Cavs to attempt and make it through without Mitchell, their All-Star guard who has led the club in scoring throughout the postseason, or Allen, their top rebounder.
The top-seeded Celtics, who have a history of letting up when it’s most convenient, showed the Cavs no leniency.
Tatum added 11 rebounds and five assists to his impressive effort, which was his second straight. For Boston, Jrue Holiday scored sixteen points.
The Cavs kept in touch with the Celtics and trailed by just 10 points entering the fourth quarter, thanks to 30 points from Darius Garland and 19 apiece from Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert.
After a jumper by Brown put Boston up 15, Garland and Dean Wade of Cleveland answered with a 10-2 run.
With 1:08 remaining, Brown made a 3-pointer to keep the Cavaliers within 102-97, and Boston sealed the victory at the free-throw line.
James, who spent two different spells of 11 seasons playing for Cleveland, was back in his old home arena, a visit that would undoubtedly fuel rumors about his potential next destination.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ deal allows the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to opt out this summer, though James has stated he hasn’t made a definitive choice.
The 39-year-old was seated between agent Rich Paul and his wife, Savannah, across from Boston’s bench. During a first-quarter timeout, James was shown on the scoreboard, to a thunderous applause from the Cleveland crowd.
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Ԁue tо а pаιnful ιnjury Һe аcquιreԀ ιn tҺe fιrst rоunԀ, аllen mιsseԀ Һιs seventҺ cоnsecutιve gаme.
After Holiday scored seven points in a row, the Celtics led by 13 points in the second quarter and seemed to be in complete control of the Cavaliers.
But Cleveland stormed back as Max Strus, who has struggled with his outside shot throughout the playoffs, made consecutive 3-pointers in a 13-3 run that helped the Cavs close within 62-57 at halftime.
Kristaps Porzingis of Boston missed his fifth straight game, but the Celtics took solace in the fact that he was able to work out on the court.