Celtics Rout Cavaliers In Game 1
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-95, at TD Garden in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Tuesday. The Celtics lead the series 1-0.
The Celtics cruised towards an easy win over a Cavaliers team that looked extremely tired. That shouldn’t be surprising, as Cleveland needed seven games to get past the Orlando Magic in the first round, while Boston only needed five to dispatch the Miami Heat. The first half was a back-and-forth contest, though it always seemed the Celtics were the better team. Boston raced to a 40-34 lead in the first quarter, and by halftime, the lead was already a double-digit margin (59-49). The Celtics didn’t slow things down in the second half and began to pull away for good in the third quarter after a 33-28 score, meaning Cleveland was down by 15 points by the time the final 12 minutes started. The Celtics closed things out with a 28-18 score in the final quarter, securing an easy lead and grabbing the advantage in the series.
Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 32 points, but he also grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists. Derrick White had 25 points and five dimes. Jayson Tatum contributed an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double while shooting 7-for-19 from the field. Jrue Holiday had 14 points and six boards. Payton Pritchard added 16 points coming off the bench. The Celtics shot 48.9 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range.
Donovan Mitchell recorded 33 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while adding three assists. Isaac Okoro had 11 points, and Darius Garland added 14 points, five assists and three rebounds. The Cavaliers shot 41.1 percent from the field and 26.2 percent from three-point range.
The Celtics cruised towards an easy win over a Cavaliers team that looked extremely tired. That shouldn’t be surprising, as Cleveland needed seven games to get past the Orlando Magic in the first round, while Boston only needed five to dispatch the Miami Heat. The first half was a back-and-forth contest, though it always seemed the Celtics were the better team. Boston raced to a 40-34 lead in the first quarter, and by halftime, the lead was already a double-digit margin (59-49). The Celtics didn’t slow things down in the second half and began to pull away for good in the third quarter after a 33-28 score, meaning Cleveland was down by 15 points by the time the final 12 minutes started. The Celtics closed things out with a 28-18 score in the final quarter, securing an easy lead and grabbing the advantage in the series.
Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 32 points, but he also grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists. Derrick White had 25 points and five dimes. Jayson Tatum contributed an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double while shooting 7-for-19 from the field. Jrue Holiday had 14 points and six boards. Payton Pritchard added 16 points coming off the bench. The Celtics shot 48.9 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range.
Donovan Mitchell recorded 33 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley had a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds while adding three assists. Isaac Okoro had 11 points, and Darius Garland added 14 points, five assists and three rebounds. The Cavaliers shot 41.1 percent from the field and 26.2 percent from three-point range.
Thunder Dominate In Series Opener
By Dan Bruno
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 117-95, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi Finals at Paycom Center on Tuesday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 23, heading into the second quarter. The pace picked up in the second, where the Thunder pushed ahead to a nine-point advantage by halftime. The hosts stayed in control through the third and pushed their lead to 10 points, entering the final frame. The Mavs had no answers down the stretch, as the Thunder charged to the 1-0 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, a steal and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Chet Holmgren followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks, while Jalen Williams logged 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points, three assists, two steals and a block, in 37 minutes of action. Luka Doncic followed up with 19 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals, while Daniel Gafford totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in OKC.
The game got out to a competitive start and was tied at 23, heading into the second quarter. The pace picked up in the second, where the Thunder pushed ahead to a nine-point advantage by halftime. The hosts stayed in control through the third and pushed their lead to 10 points, entering the final frame. The Mavs had no answers down the stretch, as the Thunder charged to the 1-0 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, a steal and two blocks, in 37 minutes. Chet Holmgren followed up with 19 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks, while Jalen Williams logged 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points, three assists, two steals and a block, in 37 minutes of action. Luka Doncic followed up with 19 points, six rebounds, nine assists and two steals, while Daniel Gafford totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday in OKC.