Boston Celtics No Match for LeBron, Cavs

The Boston Celtics headed into Cleveland Tuesday night with high hopes in pulling off the upset over the Cavs.

LeBron James had different ideas in mind.

After nearly knocking off the Warriors on Sunday, the Celtics feel- good atmosphere crashed with a thud in losing to Cleveland 110-79.

Led by superstars James and Kyrie Irving, the Cavs victory was never in doubt in leading from nearly the start of the game.

James had 27 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals while Irving added 18 points.

The Celtics were led by Brandon Bass, who finished with a team-high 15 points.

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The Celtics only shot 33.3% (22-66) through the first three quarters, including 12% (2-16) from beyond the arc. Those numbers would have been even lower if not for the bench knocking down five 3-pointers in the fourth.

“We played on an island all night,” said Brad Stevens after the game. “We need to get back to playing as a team.”

The Celtics actually held a 11-9 lead early in the game before the Cavs used a 20-5 run to end the quarter. James and Irving combined for 22 points in the first.

Things got worse in the second as the Celtics continued to dig themselves in a hole. The Cavs led 61-36 at halftime. James and Irving nearly outscored the Celtics themselves, combining for 35 first-half points.

Not helping the Celtics in the early going was foul trouble. Tyler Zeller had 3 fouls and Jae Crowder had 2, leaving the Celtics, already thin on big men, to play Shavlik Randolph 7 minutes in the first half.

Bass did his best to keep the Celtics in the game, scoring 10 of his points in the quarter.

The Cavs would extend their lead to 95-53 after the third. The Celtics only managed five field goals in the third, including a 3-pointer by Bass.

Both teams emptied their bench in the fourth as the Celtics outscored the Cavs by 11.

Isaiah Thomas had his first real down game for the Celtics, scoring only 11 points on 4-13 shooting. No other player for the Celtics scored in double figures. The Cavs, on the other hand, had all five starters scored more than 10 points.

The Celtics have to regroup quick as they return home to face the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.

With the playoffs still in sight for the Celtics, it’s best to put this loss from their minds and go back to playing the way they were. If they don’t, it’s going to be a long last month and a half to end the season.

News and Notes

– The 79 points scored by the Celtics was their second lowest scoring game of the year. They only scored 75 against the Heat on 02/01.

– The 31-point margin of defeat was the Celtics biggest this year.

– Cleveland has now won 12 straight home games.