Celtics vs. Cavaliers Highlights: Tatum Shines, Outperforming Mitchell in Impressive Victory for the C’s
C’s Triumph Over Cavaliers: Tatum Outshines Mitchell in Victory, as Discussed on NBC Sports Boston
Key Takeaways
Promising Start for C’s
Boston’s Defense Rises to the Occasion
Mitchell Puts Up a Fight, but Falls Short
The Cleveland Cavaliers posed a significant challenge for the Boston Celtics last season, securing three wins in their four matchups.
In the 2023-24 season, the Celtics are determined to rewrite the narrative, and their efforts are evident with consecutive wins over the Cavaliers this week, the latest being Thursday night at TD Garden.
While the Celtics led for the majority of the game, the Cavaliers narrowed the gap to 90-87 by the end of the third quarter. However, the C’s asserted their dominance in the fourth quarter, sealing a 116-107 victory and boosting their record to an NBA-leading 18-5.
Boston remains unbeaten at home this season with a perfect 12-0 record and has extended its regular-season home game winning streak to 19, marking the fourth-longest in team history and the longest since 1986-87.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded the Celtics’ triumph with 27 points, 12 of which were scored in the fourth quarter. Notably, all five Celtics starters contributed 14 or more points.
The Celtics swiftly return to action on Friday and Sunday against the Magic, both games taking place in Boston. The Magic have secured four consecutive wins against the C’s dating back to last season.
Before diving into the upcoming matchups, let’s dissect three takeaways from the Celtics-Cavaliers showdown.
Improved Start
In contrast to Tuesday’s game where the Celtics faced a 31-21 deficit after the first quarter, they displayed enhanced energy on both ends of the floor on Thursday. The Celtics decisively won the opening quarter with a 33-24 lead, propelled by Jaylen Brown’s nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 15, 2023
Tatum chipped in seven points with three rebounds and two assists, while Derrick White (seven points) and Kristaps Porzingis (five points) also made solid contributions.
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 15, 2023
In the opening quarter, the Celtics showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 60 percent from the field (12-of-20) and maintaining the same accuracy from beyond the arc, hitting 6-for-10 from 3-point range.
Boston’s defensive performance was equally commendable in the quarter. They forced five turnovers from the Cleveland Cavaliers and limited them to a dismal 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point territory.
The Celtics have consistently demonstrated strong starts, ranking third in the league for first-quarter points per game (31.2) and second in first-quarter field goal percentage (50.6) after Thursday’s game.
Celtics’ Defensive Brilliance
While the Celtics posted an impressive offensive display with 116 points, it was their stellar defense that truly secured the victory.
Heading into Thursday’s game, the Celtics had allowed opponents to make 15 or more 3-pointers while shooting at least 40 percent in each of the last four games. However, their defense tightened up against the Cavaliers, holding them to a 33.3 percent (11-of-33) shooting from beyond the arc.
Boston also excelled in defending the paint, with Jayson Tatum leading the team with three blocked shots, including a memorable swat in the fourth quarter that energized the crowd.
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 15, 2023
The Celtics collectively tallied eight blocks and seven steals, forced 16 turnovers from the Cavaliers, and dominated the rebounding battle with a 44-39 advantage.
The emphasis on becoming an elite defensive team, voiced during the preseason, is evident through the first 23 games. Boston currently ranks fourth in the league in both defensive rating and opponents’ points per game.
Mitchell’s Celtics Showdown
Donovan Mitchell has a penchant for delivering standout performances against the Celtics, making him a constant thorn in their side.
Entering Thursday’s game, Mitchell boasted a career average of 29.5 points per game against the Celtics, the highest against any team with a minimum of three matchups. Over the last two years, when an opposing player scored 40-plus points against the Celtics, Mitchell accounted for four instances.
Despite another strong showing by Mitchell, scoring 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting with eight rebounds and six assists, he lacked sufficient support from his teammates. Darius Garland was the only other Cleveland starter to reach double digits, with only three players—Mitchell, Garland, and Caris LeVert—scoring 10 or more points.
