The matches between Cleveland and Boston have not disappointed since the start of the season. The “Game 1” had seen the Celtics put an end to the invincibility of the horsemen, the second had been the scene of an incredible return of the Cavs of Donovan Mitchell to win in the final. And that night, the meeting was just as engaging, with a new victory by Boston, who nevertheless trembled until the end after counting up to 20 points ahead!
The Cavs displayed the entry color between the Dunk of Jarrett Allen and the huge poster of Donovan Mitchell on Kristaps Porzingis from the first minutes. The fight seemed to be launched, except that Cleveland was a little late when ignition. In less than three minutes, the premises first conceded a 13-4, taking the water on the 3-point of Derrick White then the two of Al Horford to complete the first act (15-28). The men of Kenny Atkinson were not at the end of their sorrows since the gap reached the 20 points in the process, when Boston started the second act with a 7-0, with this time Jayson Tatum to fire from afar (15-35)!
It was then the beginning of a long ascent for Cleveland, with Donovan Mitchell in the role of imperturbable leader, and Darius Garland, Ty Jerome or Sam Merrill, author of two 3-point baskets, that the franchise Ohio has caught up. A final basket of “SPIDA” followed by a final dunk by Jarrett Allen in transition then allowed the premises to briefly iron at -8 just before the break and a basket with the buzzer of Jaylen Brown (44-54).
The last word for Derrick White and Jayson Tatum
Darius Garland went up to the niche in turn in the third quarter by scoring 12 points over the period, but Boston was still able to hold on, with here too a Pritchard-White-Porzingis-Horford quartet to support Jayson Tatum. On a mission, Donovan Mitchell, however, maintained the pressure just before the start of the third quarter by sending two 3-point arrows before going to finish near the circle to the delight of the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (75-87).
Everyone still had in mind the formidable finish of “spida” two months ago, and that is perhaps what gave wings to the rest of the team, to see the Alley-Oop Locked by Evan Mobley, the 3-point of Sam Merrill to support a Donovan Mitchell still as hot. But this time, the Celtics held out.
Derrick White was the perfect X factor by scoring two 3-time baskets in a row to restore his own to restore 10 points. Darius Garland relaunched the suspense with a 3-point then a 3+1 and Cleveland had a ball to return to a possession, at 104-109. It is a bad choice on the counterattack that allowed Jayson Tatum to intercept the ball on a hazardous pass from Evan Mobley. Even if he only converted one-free launch, Jayson Tatum assured the victory with this interception, and the Celtics were able to manage until the end to leave with the victory, 112-105.
What to remember
Kristaps porzingis still posted. The Latvian already went around the planet when he crossed paths with Ja Morant, author of an incredible “double pump back” dunk on the interior of the Celtics last December. The post of this evening should still go around the networks with a Donovan Mitchell (31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) which was happy to crush it well as it takes at the very start of the match. Author of 19 points and 7 rebounds, there is no doubt that KP will console himself with victory.
Derrick White, the fatal weapon. It is the one that we never see coming, and yet, it is the killer of the c's excellence! Already in Philadelphia this weekend, it was he who crucified the Sixers with two 3-point baskets “clutch”. The rear handed over this night with two outdoor shots again that he managed to obtain as a big one this time, and which weighed very heavy in the final.
Two errors that cost expensive. The Cavs and Donovan Mitchell had to make them nightmares, from this well-managed counterattack at 104-109 to a little less than thirty seconds from the end. While Darius Garland had just planted two 3-point baskets, Donovan Mitchell made another choice rather than serving it again. Launched towards the circle, Evan Mobley tried to come out outwards, allowing Jayson Tatum to come back in time to make the interception of the match and save his last boiling seconds.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / Trute-free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
