Boston redeems itself. Wins in Cleveland 106-93 Game 3 of the second round of the NBA playoffs after the knockout suffered at the Garden the previous match. As against Miami in the first round, the Celtics, after a horrendous counter-performance in Game 2, respond with a show of strength in the next match, extending the series to 2-1. Jaylen Brown, who had called the debacle in front of his audience “unacceptable”, scored 28 points shooting 13/17 from the field. He follows his words with actions, in short, setting the example of a leader of the pack. Boston at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse puts the game down with a 14-0 run to open the 3rd quarter, even goes up +23 and then controls the guests’ reaction attempt without any worries, always ahead by at least 9 points. Tenuous. Because Donovan Mitchell can’t work miracles: he scores 33 points, but ends up with his tongue hanging out, exhausted and frustrated by the lack of offensive resources. A couple of Coach Bickerstaff’s starters, Max Strus and Isaac Okoro, make a silent scene. Game 4, still in Cleveland, is scheduled from 1am in Italy between Monday and Tuesday. The Cavaliers, with their first home defeat of the 2024 playoffs after the 4 victories over Orlando, will try to hang on to this series, while the Celtics, the No. 1 seed in the East, will give it the final push in their favor.
illustrious absences
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Jarrett Allen, the Cavs’ ace defensive center, didn’t play this time either – for the sixth game in a row – due to a rib injury. The drama before each match, with the constant doubt of his availability, then always excluded at the last second, drives the Cavs fans crazy. This time Cleveland has at least recovered winger Dean Wade, who had been out since March 8 due to a sprained right knee. He lent a hand, but it is certainly not he who can change the balance. Boston, as expected, was still without Kris Porzingis, the Latvian big man, who has yet to play in this series due to the right calf problem suffered against the Heat.
the match
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Boston ahead 57-48 at half-time: 18 points for Tatum, 23 for Mitchell, almost half of his team’s overall points. Boston’s 14-0 run to start the 3rd quarter proved to be the decisive lead. Cleveland only partially responds by scoring 9 points in a row, but Boston is 84-69 after 36 minutes. Tatum scores 9 points in the 3rd period, elegant and “smooth” like on the best evenings, like when he can play finesse and is not forced to prevail with nerves. Mitchell already with 7 triples on target, fighting like Don Quixote against windmills, without the slightest offensive collaboration. A basket by Mobley off an offensive rebound makes it -9 for Cleveland at 75-84, but it is the home team’s last gasp. The consecutive triples by Pritchard and White are in fact the final knockout punches. This time Cleveland is unable to respond, if anything Brown closes the score, relentless. Boston regains homecourt advantage and goes up 2-1 in the series. And Brown growls, “We didn’t come to Cleveland for the weather.” No. To mortgage the Conference final, if anything.
Cleveland: Mitchell 33 (5/10, 7/12, 2/3 TL), Mobley 17, LeVert/Garland 15. Rebounds: Mobley 8. Assists: Garland 6.
Boston: Tatum 33 (9/17, 2/8, 9/9 TL), Brown 28. Holiday 18. Rebounds: Tatum 13. Assists: Tatum 6.
