In a thrilling nail-biting showdown between two top Eastern Conference teams, the Boston Celtics displayed their championship caliber by securing a hard-fought 112-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Led by Jayson Tatum’s 22 points and Derrick White’s 20-point contribution, the Celtics proved their mettle down the stretch, sealing the win in a high-stakes clash on Tuesday night.
The defending NBA champions showcased their poise and execution in the decisive moments of the game, thwarting the Cavaliers’ attempts to stage a comeback. Despite Cleveland’s formidable record of only four losses in 28 home games, the Celtics stood firm and emerged victorious, extending their winning streak to four games.
Noteworthy performances from Kristaps Porzingis, who tallied 19 points, and Jaylen Brown, who chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds, further solidified Boston’s dominance in the matchup. Donovan Mitchell’s 31-point effort and Darius Garland’s 25-point display for the Cavaliers kept the game competitive, as they fought back from a 15-point deficit to narrow the gap to just four points in the fourth quarter.
With Jarrett Allen contributing 17 points and 18 rebounds for Cleveland, the intensity of the game remained high throughout. The Celtics, unfazed by the Cavaliers’ late surge, maintained their composure and answered every crucial moment to secure the win and improve their head-to-head record against Cleveland to 2-1 this season.
In a key moment of the game, Derrick White’s clutch plays, including a short jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers, propelled Boston to a commanding 107-97 lead with 2:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Cleveland’s struggles from beyond the arc, starting just 1 of 14 on 3-point attempts and finishing 11 of 39 (28%) overall, proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the game.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, a team that recently made headlines with the acquisition of Anthony Davis in a blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers will take on the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday in their next matchup as they aim to bounce back from the tough loss to Boston.
