With out Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, the Celtics nearly pulled off an enormous upset in Cleveland, however eventuall misplaced within the last minutes to the Cavaliers 115-111.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Boston held a 12-point lead with the whole lot clicking. Jayson Tatum — who would end with 33 factors (12-of-27 from the sphere, 4-of-9 from behind the arc), eight rebounds, and 4 assists — was punishing defenders in isolation. Kristaps Porzingis (21 factors, 8 rebounds) hit three three-pointers and dominated within the publish. Payton Pritchard adopted up his robust NBA Cup efficiency in Chicago scored in any respect three ranges and completed with 24 factors.
Nevertheless, within the clutch, it was all about Donovan Mitchell. With the Celtics nursing a 5 level lead with simply over 4 minutes to go, the Cavaliers’ MVP candidate hit 4 straight pictures together with three from distance to shut out the Celtics.
A free throw contest wrapped up the ultimate seconds, however Boston’s comeback within the clutch can be thwarted when Payton Pritchard crossed the free throw line earlier than his intentional miss hit the rim within the closing seconds.
The Cavaliers keep the highest spot within the East at 18-3 with the Celtics trailing at a sport and a half at 16-4. Boston will wrap up a back-to-back tomorrow evening in opposition to the Warmth at TD Backyard to start out a four-game homestand. The 2 prime convention contenders gained’t meet once more till February 4tn in Cleveland.
