Boston Shakes Up the NBA: Celtics Hand Cavs First Loss of the Season
Boston came alive last night as the Boston Celtics faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in what felt like the season’s most anticipated matchup. The stakes? Cleveland rolled into town with an impressive and flawless 15-0 record, while Boston was looking to redeem themselves after a rough start in the NBA Cup. It was a real thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats!
First Half: Celtics Take Command
The game kicked off at a blistering pace as the Celtics quickly asserted their dominance, going into the halftime break with a 65-48 lead. They weren’t just messing around either, putting the brakes on Cleveland’s league-leading offense while making their own shots count. The Celtics hit an impressive 14 of 22 from downtown in the first half alone. The crowd at TD Garden was buzzing!
Boston didn’t scoff when it came to shooting, taking full advantage of the home court. They set the tone early and made sure to silence the Cavs’ stellar 3-point game—which, coming into the match, was averaging 15.5 triples a game at a cool 41.9% shooting percentage.
The Cavs Make a Run
But hey, you can never count the Cavs out! Coming out of halftime, they turned up the heat and went on a wild 30-11 run, thanks to some hot shooting from Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Suddenly, the game was looking a lot tighter at 90-88 by the end of the third, breathing some life back into Cavs fans. With the hope of a comeback beginning to build, Boston’s Jayson Tatum responded with a clutch buzzer-beater three-pointer. That shot made sure to put Boston’s lead at five points as they headed into the final quarter. Talk about a heart-stopping moment!
Final Stretch: Celtics Hold Their Ground
As the fourth quarter rolled around, the Cavs kept chipping away, getting close within two points more than once. But every time they made a push, the Celtics found a way to respond. Tatum was, without a doubt, the star of the game, racking up an impressive 33 points, along with 12 rebounds, seven assists, and a couple of steals. Wow! He was joined by several teammates who joined in on the three-point action, with six Celtics draining multiple long-range bombs.
On the other side, Mitchell was doing everything he could to rally his team, finishing with a game-high 35 points. Mobley had a solid night, chipping in 22 points and some key rebounds to boot. However, it was a tough night for Darius Garland, who struggled mightily, shooting just 3 of 21 from the field. Ouch! That’s gotta sting.
History Meets Reality
With the final buzzer sounding at 120-117 in favor of the Celtics, Cleveland’s unbeaten run came to an end. It’s a tough loss, but there’s no shame in losing to the Celtics in their own backyard. The Cavs’ record of 15-1 is still impressive—tying them for the second-best start in NBA history!
As for the Celtics, they not only stopped the Cavs but also secured their first victory in the NBA Cup after a previous loss to the Hawks. Now, they’re grinning ear to ear, standing tall as contenders once again!
Looking ahead, the Cavs have a handful of games lined up against teams like the Pelicans and the Raptors, before another shot at redemption awaits on December 1st back in Boston. Can they bounce back? Only time will tell!
