Celtics Drop Game 1 to Cavs

A horrendous third quarter and the inability to find answers in stopping Kyrie Irving doomed the Celtics in Game 1 of the first round match-up with the Cleveland Cavs.

Irving had 30 points in his playoff debut as the Cavs defeated the Celtics 113-100 Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.

Behind Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavs used a 20-8 run to start the third to extend their lead to 82-62 and they never looked back.

Rattled and frustrated, the young Celtics were able to put a 14-0 run together behind Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder. With 1:40 remaining in the quarter, the Celtics were down six and had momentum going their way before the Cavs ripped it back from them with a 9-0 run to end the quarter leading 91-76.

Thomas was all over the box score once again for the Celtics, leading them with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also had five turnovers as he was hounded all afternoon by a swarming Cavs defense.

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The Celtics came out of the gates attacking on offense. In a first quarter that featured eight lead changes and three ties, the Celtics held a 31-27 advantage at the end of the first.

Boston was nearly flawless in the quarter, shooting 57% (12-21) and only committing one turnover. Kelly Olynyk had the hot hand, scoring ten points on 4-4 shooting.

The Celtics extended their lead to as many as eight before Cleveland went on a 22-6 run behind LeBron James and Irving and eventually went into halftime leading by 8, 62-54.

The Cavs knocked down six of their eight 3’s in the second quarter. Irving had 20 points in the half, knocking down all four of his 3’s, including a 29-ft 3-pointer as the half ended.

The Celtics committed six turnovers in the quarter that helped contribute to their deficit. Still, they were shooting 53% from the field and led by Thomas 12 points, were in striking distance of the Cavs.

After the rough third quarter, the closest the Celtics were able to get was ten points with just over four minutes remaining. Key stops eluded the defense and the Cavs lead was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

While the defense never found their footing all night, the Celtics ended up shooting 47% (37-79) on the game.  They knocked down eight 3’s but allowed the Cavs to make 13.

Evan Turner and Olynyk both finished with 12 points for the Celtics, with Crowder adding 10.

James had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists for the Cavs. Love, also in his playoff debut, had 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds.

The Celtics will look to avoid falling into an 0-2 series hole when they take on the Cavs on Tuesday night.