Short-Handed Cavaliers Put Up Strong Fight
Despite missing their leading scorer Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen, the Cleveland Cavaliers put up a strong fight against the visiting Celtics. It wasn’t until Jaylen Brown’s three-pointer with just over a minute remaining that the Celtics managed to extend their lead to 8 points, securing a 109-102 victory and taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
First Single-Digit Win in Playoffs for Celtics
This victory marks the first time since April 6th that the Celtics have played a game that was decided in the final crucial minutes. Typically, during these moments, the Celtics have either won by a larger margin or lost the game.
Defense Strategy Against Cavaliers’ Three-Pointers
Jrue Holiday highlighted the Celtics’ defensive strategy, which aimed to limit the Cavaliers’ three-point attempts. “We worked hard to prevent them from taking three-point shots, hoping to force them to drive into the paint and create pressure through physical confrontation, making it difficult for them to score even from two-point range.” Despite this strategy, the Cavaliers attempted 48 three-pointers throughout the game, making 15 of them.
Resilient Cavaliers
Coach Joe Mazzulla expressed his lack of surprise at the Cavaliers’ performance without Donovan Mitchell. “The Cavaliers are a very talented team, and they played great today. I believe they will show an even better performance in the next game.”
Praise for Cavaliers’ Resilience
Jaylen Brown commended the Cavaliers for their resilience and energy. “They played with resilience and energy. The Cavaliers performed excellently in the first half, but fortunately, we managed to control their momentum in the later stages of the game.”
Looking Ahead
/With the series now heavily favoring the Celtics, both teams are preparing for the next game. The Cavaliers are expected to come back stronger, while the Celtics aim to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs. (55BMW)