The Celtics burst onto the court, igniting a blazing 5-0 lead in the opening quarter fueled by Jaylen Brown’s effortless three-pointer and precision at the free-throw line. Despite a late surge from the Cavaliers, Morris Sr.’s buzzer-beating 26-foot three-pointer helped narrow the gap. Brown’s stellar performance amassed an impressive 15 points, propelling the Celtics to an early advantage.
In the second quarter, the Cavaliers struggled to keep pace with the relentless Celtics offense. A sharp three-point shot from Pritchard extended the Celtics’ lead into double digits early on, firmly solidifying their control for the remainder of the half. Despite efforts from Cavaliers stars Garland and Mitchell, who combined for 7 points, the team fell short in their attempt to halt the Celtics’ momentum.
Photo Cred: USA Today
Entering the second half facing a daunting 59-49 deficit, the Cavaliers encountered an uphill battle. Aaron Holiday showcased his shooting prowess with back-to-back three-pointers, swiftly widening the Celtics’ lead. A concerted effort from Brown, White, and Holiday further extended the gap, leaving the Cavaliers trailing by 16 points. Despite Mitchell’s valiant individual efforts, sinking five consecutive two-pointers, the Cavaliers struggled to close the distance.
The fourth quarter witnessed the Celtics asserting their dominance, expanding their lead to a commanding 20 points with a seamless jump shot from Jayson Tatum. Pritchard and Holiday added to the Cavaliers’ woes with five more points, leaving little hope for a late comeback. Though the Cavaliers fought until the final buzzer, with George Niang contributing four points from the free-throw line in the dwindling minutes, they ultimately succumbed to a resounding 25-point defeat, a stark contrast to their previous close encounter.
