Celtics Crush Cavaliers in Game 1, Fueled by 3-Point Barrage

The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-95 to start their second-round series. In addition to Derrick White (25 points, 7 3-pointers) and Jaylen Brown (32 points), Jayson Tatum contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers were overpowered by Boston’s 3-point shooting in the second half.

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points to lead the Cavaliers, but after defeating Orlando in 45 minutes, it appeared that he was tired. Nevertheless, with his sixth straight 30-point playoff opener, he became a member of an exclusive club.

In the opening quarter, both sides were lethal from deep, making it a shootout. Boston led thanks to an early surge from Brown, but Mitchell kept Cleveland in the contest. The Celtics came on strong in the closing minutes to take a 40-34 lead and never looked back, leading 59-49 at the half.

In the second half, Brown and White’s hot hands persisted, increasing the lead. White’s playoff record of 28 made 3-pointers over six games shows how effective his confident shooting has become as a weapon for the Celtics.

A 10-2 surge to start the fourth essentially put Boston ahead. Cleveland appeared to tire out, which let the Celtics’ lead to grow.

Game 2 is still scheduled for Thursday night in Boston, where the Cavaliers will have a difficult task against the East’s top seed.