Cavaliers Thump Celtics, 118-94
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Boston Celtics, 118-94, at TD Garden on Thursday night in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The series is tied 1-1.
The Celtics (5-2 postseason) appeared set to build toward a second straight convincing victory and commanding series early in Thursday's matchup, jumping out to a 30-24 lead through one. However, the Cavaliers (5-4 postseason) began to alter the dynamic of the game in the second, turning the tables on Boston to send the game into halftime knotted at 54-54. Then, Cleveland wasted no time keeping its foot on the gas in the third, building a 12-point advantage during the period and opening the final period on a 12-5 run in the first 3:13 to essentially put the game out of reach.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, complementing them with eight assists and seven rebounds. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert generated matching 21-point efforts while recording 10 and six rebounds and five and three assists, respectively. Darius Garland delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Max Strus and Isaac Okoro turned in 12 points apiece, with Strus adding six rebounds.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 25 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown registered 19 points, four rebounds and one assist. Payton Pritchard managed 13 points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal. Al Horford turned in 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. Derrick White finished with 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and one block.
The series now shifts to Cleveland, where the two teams will clash in Game 3 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Celtics (5-2 postseason) appeared set to build toward a second straight convincing victory and commanding series early in Thursday's matchup, jumping out to a 30-24 lead through one. However, the Cavaliers (5-4 postseason) began to alter the dynamic of the game in the second, turning the tables on Boston to send the game into halftime knotted at 54-54. Then, Cleveland wasted no time keeping its foot on the gas in the third, building a 12-point advantage during the period and opening the final period on a 12-5 run in the first 3:13 to essentially put the game out of reach.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 29 points, complementing them with eight assists and seven rebounds. Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert generated matching 21-point efforts while recording 10 and six rebounds and five and three assists, respectively. Darius Garland delivered 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal. Max Strus and Isaac Okoro turned in 12 points apiece, with Strus adding six rebounds.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 25 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown registered 19 points, four rebounds and one assist. Payton Pritchard managed 13 points, four assists, two rebounds and one steal. Al Horford turned in 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block. Derrick White finished with 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and one block.
The series now shifts to Cleveland, where the two teams will clash in Game 3 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
Mavs Defeat Thunder, 119-110, Even Series at 1-1
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Paycom Center on Thursday.
This series is tied, 1-1.
There were only two lead changes in this game, with Dallas maintaining the lead for all but a few minutes. With that said, they never led by more than 14 points but OKC never took a game-tying shot over the closing 18 minutes. The Mavericks shot 49 percent from three-point range (18-of-37), while the Thunder shot just 33 percent (10-of-30). Dallas also out-assisted Oklahoma City, 30-25, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 14-8.
The Mavericks (1-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. PJ Washington provided 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Daniel Gafford generated 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Kyrie Irving compiled nine points, three rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 17 points.
The Thunder (1-1) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishing with 33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chet Holmgren totaled 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while Luguentz Dort accrued eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Game 3 will be played in Dallas on Saturday.
This series is tied, 1-1.
There were only two lead changes in this game, with Dallas maintaining the lead for all but a few minutes. With that said, they never led by more than 14 points but OKC never took a game-tying shot over the closing 18 minutes. The Mavericks shot 49 percent from three-point range (18-of-37), while the Thunder shot just 33 percent (10-of-30). Dallas also out-assisted Oklahoma City, 30-25, while outscoring them in second-chance points, 14-8.
The Mavericks (1-1) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. PJ Washington provided 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Daniel Gafford generated 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Kyrie Irving compiled nine points, three rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and two blocks. Tim Hardaway Jr led the bench with 17 points.
The Thunder (1-1) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finishing with 33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks. Jalen Williams had 20 points, four rebounds and four assists. Chet Holmgren totaled 11 points, six rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while Luguentz Dort accrued eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Game 3 will be played in Dallas on Saturday.