In this very enticing poster, the start of the match is very offensive, despite a rhythm constantly cut by an astronomical number of faults: 10 on each side, and 17 free throws in total. The two formations make good choices in attack and it shows in the figures: 11/19 for Cavaliers carried by their holders, 11/18 for Celtics more put on the right track by their substitutes (34-33 in favor of Boston).
This dynamic is reversed in the second quarter, since the holders of Cleveland are less effective, with the exception of Donovan Mitchell who keeps his foot on the accelerator, while those of Boston wake up. Particularly Jayson Tatum, 24 points at the break, Jaylen Brown and by Al Horford, under the impulse of which the Celtics plant 41 points to sign a major break at the break (75-62).
Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert to the rescue
Despite this gap of 13 points, it is naive to think that the match is over at this point in the game. Because when they return from the locker room, the Cavaliers, or rather should we say Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, are fighting back. The two backs, already the best players on their team in the first period, are seriously gaining momentum and accumulate almost 40 points with two, at 12/22 on shots, in the second period!
As the Celtics’ ball losses began to accumulate, the Cleveland “backcourt”, well supported by the interior tandem Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen, completely relaunched the meeting, which went into overtime at the end of time. regulation, after a shot of the winner missed by Jayson Tatum.
During extra time, it’s exactly the same thing! Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, hot as embers, actually scored 16 of their team’s 18 points and this time outdistanced the locals for good, who lost 9 points after a bitter and exciting fight (132-123).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Luke Kornet, the surprise guest. While Grant Williams was suspended and Blake Griffin was quickly bothered by foul problems (3 in the first quarter), Luke Kornet therefore obtained more playing time than usual. The former Knicks player played 25 minutes, the highest total among Celtics substitutes, for a consistent record: 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, with a plus/minus of +7.
– 19 and 24, the number of ball losses of the Celtics, and the points received on them. Already they are not on point defensively since the start of the season, Joe Mazzulla’s men have shot themselves in the foot by offering as many free points to the Cavaliers.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert. What an incredible game from Cleveland’s temporary backcourt. In the absence of Darius Garland, the two backs are empowered by a more substantial offensive load, and it is an understatement to say that they responded present on the floor of TD Garden: 41 points each! Like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving during Game 5 of the 2016 Finals, for the aficionados stats that have a good memory… We will especially remember that they almost single-handedly caught up with the Cavaliers in the second half, before delivering the coup de grace to their opponents in overtime, with an impressive “takeover”.
✅ The accuracy of the Cavaliers, effective in all compartments: 45/87 shooting (52%) and 16/34 behind the arc (47%), 51 rebounds, 18 assists and 5 steals. Only downside: the 15 bullet losses. Even if the troop from Ohio is finally doing quite well at this level, since the Celtics have only scored 13 points on these lost balls.
✅⛔️ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Despite the defeat, a “plus/minus” well entangled in the negative (-10 and -21) and 10 cumulative ball losses to two, the “Jay’s” were good. We will of course regret the significant slumps at important times, at the end of the game for the first (2 points in the fourth quarter and overtime) and at the start for the second. But without them the defeat would have been recorded at the end of regulation time, so we have to take a step back and find a happy medium in the analysis of their performance.
⛔️ Marcus Smart. Complicated evening for the defensive ace of the Celtics, not very influential in this area in addition to having a hole in attack, with 11 points scored on 15 shots, for only 3 converted. He distributes all the same 7 assists, but ends with a +/- of -26, the lowest of his team.
THE FOLLOWING
– Celtics : Wizards reception Sunday evening (11 p.m.)
– Riders : reception of the Knicks, same day and same time
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