BOSTON — A Showdown for the Ages
Well, folks, it seems like the Boston Celtics threw down the gauntlet in their nail-biter game against the Cleveland Cavaliers — and what a game it was! The Cavs came into this match with an eye-popping 15-0 record, tied for the second-best start to a season ever, and on top of that, it was an NBA Cup game. Boston’s guard Derrick White was clear: “We knew. Everybody knew.”
The Celtics Set the Tone Early
With a national audience watching, the Celtics made it crystal clear that the Eastern Conference throne still sits in Boston. They kicked off strong, sinking five out of their first eight 3-point attempts, which quickly gave them an early lead of 18-8 halfway through the first quarter. And it didn’t stop there. They took command and never looked back, eventually wrapping up the first half with a cushion of 65-48, thanks to another onslaught of nine 3-pointers in the second quarter.
This isn’t just a fluke either—Boston has made a habit of scoring from beyond the arc. With an average of 51.1 3-point attempts per game, leading the league by nearly six attempts, they netted an impressive 22 threes during the game. If you’re planning to compete against the Celtics, you better come prepared. Unfortunately for the Cavs, they didn’t bring enough firepower to keep up, converting only 10-for-29 from deep.
Cavaliers Trying to Find Their Groove
Under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs have been encouraged to play with more freedom and speed, but the Celtics showed them just how high the playoff bar is set. Atkinson didn’t mince words about his team’s readiness: “Not great.” He highlighted the stark difference in physicality, pointing out that while the Celtics played like a team ready for the playoffs, the Cavs appeared to have a more traditional regular-season approach.
Still, the Cavs didn’t throw in the towel easily. They clawed their way back into the game, trimming a daunting 21-point deficit to just 86-84 during the third quarter. They saw success by pushing harder into the lane, scoring interior points effectively. The stat sheet showed they outscored the Celtics 60-36 in the paint—no small feat.
The Celtics Stand Tall
But Boston wasn’t about to let their lead slip away. Jayson Tatum, the squad’s go-to scorer, put up a stellar performance, racking up 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. His reflection post-game echoed the sentiments of the Celtics: “It’s simple: We just locked in on defense.” With experience in tightly contested moments, they’ve risen to the occasion before, and they did so again.
Looking Ahead
The Cavaliers might have learned some valuable lessons in this close encounter, but they’re not quite ready to pop the champagne just yet. Rising star Evan Mobley was optimistic, stating, “From what I saw out there, we could beat anybody.” That’s fine and all, but it’s one thing to think you can beat a champion and another to prove it when it counts.
In a twist of fate, Boston is set to welcome back All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis to the lineup, which could make things even tougher for their opponents. He was sent for some G League action to get rhythm back, and all reports indicate that his performance was promising. With his return only weeks away, the Celtics could hit another level just as these two teams are scheduled to meet again on December 1.
Final Thoughts
While the Cavs took their first loss of the season on the chin, there are definitely positives to build on. But let’s be real, the Celtics demonstrated why they’re still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. The anticipation is building for their next match-up—stay tuned!
