Cavaliers Lose to the Celtics 116-107: Game Recap 12/14/23

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Loss

1 – Frontcourt woes

The Cleveland Cavs had a rough night in the front court, allowing easy shots through the lane and multiple second-chance points to the Celtics.  The frontcourt had a hard time putting the ball in the basket, only scoring 26 points, led by Jarrett Allen’s 8 points.

2 – Rebounds and turnovers

It’s hard to win on the road when you get outrebounded by five and have more turnovers, 16 for the Cavs compared to 13 for the Celtics. 

3 – LeVert

Caris LeVert had a big night off the bench with 26 points and kept the Cavs competitive in the second half. 

Game Summary

On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics secured a 116-107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, maintaining an undefeated home record of 12-0. Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 27 points, accompanied by Jaylen Brown contributing 22. The win marked Boston’s sixth triumph in seven recent games and solidified their status as the top team in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics displayed a balanced offensive performance, with Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White adding 18, 15, and 14 points, respectively. Tatum also showcased his versatility by grabbing 11 rebounds. All five starters reached double figures in scoring.

Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell led their offensive efforts with 31 points, supported by Caris LeVert with 26 and Darius Garland with 19. Despite their individual contributions, the Cavaliers suffered their third consecutive loss.

While the Celtics faced a brief challenge as their double-digit lead dwindled to three in the final quarter, they regained control. Tatum’s scoring prowess, including a fadeaway and a crucial step-back 3-pointer, propelled Boston to a 101-91 advantage with 8 1/2 minutes remaining.

Although Cleveland made a late push, narrowing the gap to 107-102, Boston responded decisively. Jrue Holiday’s layup and Tatum’s dunk, following a Cleveland turnover, secured the win for the Celtics.

In contrast to Tuesday’s game where Boston overcame a 15-point deficit, they capitalized on steady ball movement and effective outside shooting to establish a 14-point lead in the second quarter. The Celtics shot an impressive 56.1% in the first half, including 8 of 17 from beyond the arc, ultimately leading 65-54 at halftime.

Despite Donovan Mitchell’s 21 first-half points for Cleveland, the team struggled from long range, missing 16 of 20 attempts. Boston maintained their efficiency at the free-throw line, going 17 of 20 after a perfect performance on Tuesday. The Celtics showcased a well-rounded performance, combining teamwork, accurate shooting, and defensive resilience to secure another home victory.

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