Celtics, Cavaliers Will Collide In Game 4
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Monday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Celtics are leading the series 2-1.
The Cavaliers pulled a gigantic upset in Game 2 of the series, but they couldn’t keep that streak alive and suffered a 106-93 loss in Game 3. Cleveland must win Game 4 to avoid having its backs against the wall in the rest of the series. The Cavaliers were one of the best teams at home in the regular season, posting a 26-15 record in front of their fans. The team has managed to compete better than expected in the first three games of the current series. Still, the Cavaliers do not have the depth to compete with the Celtics, especially without Jarrett Allen, who’s also expected to miss Game 4 due to a rib injury. Donovan Mitchell has carried the Cavaliers throughout the series and played a pivotal role in the team’s lone win in Game 2. He will need to be at his best on Monday if the Cavaliers want to have a shot at evening the series.
Jarrett Allen (ribs) and Donovan Mitchell (calf) are listed as game-time calls for Monday. Craig Porter (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle) are out.
The Celtics were the best team in the league during the regular season, but they haven’t been nearly as good in the playoffs. They lost a game in the opening round against the Miami Heat, and they also lost a game in the current series against the Cavaliers. However, Boston holds a 2-1 advantage, and the Celtics are in an excellent position to make it 3-1 after Monday’s contest. The Celtics are missing Kristaps Porzingis, but they shouldn’t have problems against most teams if Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White continue to play at a high level. The Celtics have also gone 3-0 on the road during the current playoff run, and given how things happened in Game 3 of the series, Boston should have enough in them to bolster its series lead and move closer to a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (calf) is probable to play Monday. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out.
The Cavaliers pulled a gigantic upset in Game 2 of the series, but they couldn’t keep that streak alive and suffered a 106-93 loss in Game 3. Cleveland must win Game 4 to avoid having its backs against the wall in the rest of the series. The Cavaliers were one of the best teams at home in the regular season, posting a 26-15 record in front of their fans. The team has managed to compete better than expected in the first three games of the current series. Still, the Cavaliers do not have the depth to compete with the Celtics, especially without Jarrett Allen, who’s also expected to miss Game 4 due to a rib injury. Donovan Mitchell has carried the Cavaliers throughout the series and played a pivotal role in the team’s lone win in Game 2. He will need to be at his best on Monday if the Cavaliers want to have a shot at evening the series.
Jarrett Allen (ribs) and Donovan Mitchell (calf) are listed as game-time calls for Monday. Craig Porter (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle) are out.
The Celtics were the best team in the league during the regular season, but they haven’t been nearly as good in the playoffs. They lost a game in the opening round against the Miami Heat, and they also lost a game in the current series against the Cavaliers. However, Boston holds a 2-1 advantage, and the Celtics are in an excellent position to make it 3-1 after Monday’s contest. The Celtics are missing Kristaps Porzingis, but they shouldn’t have problems against most teams if Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White continue to play at a high level. The Celtics have also gone 3-0 on the road during the current playoff run, and given how things happened in Game 3 of the series, Boston should have enough in them to bolster its series lead and move closer to a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Luke Kornet (calf) is probable to play Monday. Kristaps Porzingis (calf) is out.
Mavs Look To Keep Rolling At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi Finals at American Airlines Center on Monday evening.
The Thunder kicked off the series with a win in Game 1, but the Mavs bounced back in Game 2 to steal one on the road and tie the series at 1-1. The Mavs are coming off their second straight win as they carried the momentum back to Dallas for a win in Game 3.
The Mavs got out to a quick eight-point lead in Saturday's win but only held a three-point advantage heading into the second quarter before trailing by one point at the break. After falling behind by as many as 10 early in the third, they used a 27-13 run to close the quarter and claim four-point edge entering the final frame. The Thunder kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Mavs stayed focused and held on for the home win. P.J. Washington led the hosts with 27 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving added 22 points each. Dereck Lively also delivered a strong performance with 12 points and eight rebounds, off the bench. On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal and five blocks, in 42 minutes of action. Jalen Williams followed up with 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Joe chipped in 13 points each.
The Thunder have a clean bill of health entering Game 4, while Luka Doncic (knee) is listed as questionable, and Maxi Kleber (shoulder) will remain out for Monday's action.
The Thunder kicked off the series with a win in Game 1, but the Mavs bounced back in Game 2 to steal one on the road and tie the series at 1-1. The Mavs are coming off their second straight win as they carried the momentum back to Dallas for a win in Game 3.
The Mavs got out to a quick eight-point lead in Saturday's win but only held a three-point advantage heading into the second quarter before trailing by one point at the break. After falling behind by as many as 10 early in the third, they used a 27-13 run to close the quarter and claim four-point edge entering the final frame. The Thunder kept up the fight in the fourth, but the Mavs stayed focused and held on for the home win. P.J. Washington led the hosts with 27 points, six rebounds and two assists, while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving added 22 points each. Dereck Lively also delivered a strong performance with 12 points and eight rebounds, off the bench. On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal and five blocks, in 42 minutes of action. Jalen Williams followed up with 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists and a block, while Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Joe chipped in 13 points each.
The Thunder have a clean bill of health entering Game 4, while Luka Doncic (knee) is listed as questionable, and Maxi Kleber (shoulder) will remain out for Monday's action.