“We Love This Game!” » After Milwaukee the day before against the Clippers, it is the turn of the Cavaliers, also deprived of major players, to overthrow the Celtics! Celtics who remained on 11 victories in a row, including a 52 point victory against the Warriors!
However, the carrots seemed cooked at the start of the fourth quarter (87-71), while the Celtics seemed to manage their lead without forcing too much, especially since Cleveland had just lost Evan Mobley, hit in the ankle and returned prematurely to the locker rooms. Luke Kornet in the alley-oop, Payton Pritchard then Jayson Tatum then increased the gap to +22 (93-71). Then the basketball gods (again) gave the Cavaliers an end to the match that will remain engraved in the memories.
Dean Wade transforms into Dwyane Wade
There was first a 15-2 fueled by 3-pointers from Dean Wade twice, Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang to put the fans back in the game (85-95). In the process, it was again Dean Wade who brought his team closer to the leader of the Eastern Conference with a dunk and two new 3-point arrows which this time put a lot of pressure on Boston (94-97). As in a dream, and under the eyes of Jason Kelcethe Cavaliers alternated big defenses with clutch baskets, and after another 3-pointer from Georges Niang in the corner, it was again Dean Wade who exploded the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with a new outside basket that didn't found that the string: 102-99!
With their backs against the wall, the Celtics almost escaped unscathed, when Kristaps Porzingis showed inspiration to find Jrue Holiday for a basket alone under the circle, then going for a 2+1 snatch in front Darius Garland. Enough to put Boston back in front with 36 seconds remaining (103-104). The ball then returned to the hands of Darius Garland for the answer. His lay-up ended up too short, so it was Dean Wade, the hero of the match, who emerged to place a saving dunk!
There was still the last possession to manage, which Cleveland managed rather well, even if they had to go through a big scare when the referees called a foul on Jayson Tatum with 0.7 remaining, before changing their mind.
At the end of the suspense, Cleveland was able to enjoy a heroic victory, the 40th of the season!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– One last action that gets a lot of talk. At 105-104 for Cleveland with 11 seconds to play, Jayson Tatum took the ball in hand with the aim of scoring the winning shot. His attempt at the last second did not find the target, except that the referees called a foul on Darius Garland, 0.7 seconds from the end. After reviewing the action, the whistle was finally canceled, the referees having judged that it was JT's leg which had created contact with Darius Garland. On arrival, a jump ball was whistled. The Celtics tried to take a timeout after winning the ball, except there was no time left on the clock. Cleveland therefore won at the wire after a last big blow of stress with this whistle which could have changed everything.
– D-Wade reincarnated! Dean Wade simply had the match of his life to allow the Cavs to reverse the trend against the current best team in the league. He who had only reached the 20 point mark once this season, and had never scored more than 22 points in the NBA, therefore sealed his new career record during a crazy scenario since he passed 20 points in the last act! Beyond his five 3-point baskets which were invaluable in the locals' “comeback” operation, we will especially remember his slap dunk from elsewhere to seal the victory in the last seconds of the match.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
