The Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-1 lead in their East semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 109-102 win in Game 4. Jayson Tatum led the way with 33 points, while Jaylen Brown added 27. The Cavaliers were severely short-handed with key players Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen out due to injuries. Despite dealing with injuries all season, the Cavs struggled to fill the void left by Mitchell and Allen.
The Celtics have the opportunity to close out the series in Game 5 at home, with Game 6, if necessary, set to be played back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The top-seeded Celtics have shown a tendency to relax at times, but they didn’t show any mercy to the Cavs in Game 4. Tatum delivered his second consecutive strong performance, recording 11 rebounds and five assists, while Jrue Holiday contributed 16 points for Boston.
LeBron James in Attendance
LeBron James, who played 11 seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was in attendance as a spectator at the game. James received a warm welcome from the Cleveland crowd and his presence fueled speculation about his future in the NBA. With rumors swirling about his next move, James’ appearance at the game added an element of uncertainty regarding where he will play next season.
The Cavaliers were dealt a significant blow with injuries to key players Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen. Mitchell, who had been carrying the offensive load for the team throughout the postseason, was sidelined with a calf injury. Allen, the team’s leading rebounder, also sat out due to a rib injury. Without these two key players, the Cavs faced an uphill battle against the Celtics.
Despite a late surge by the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter, the Celtics maintained control of the game. Brown’s clutch 3-pointer sealed the victory for Boston, as they closed out the game at the free-throw line. The Celtics displayed resilience and composure down the stretch, fending off the Cavaliers’ attempts to rally.
Outlook for the Remainder of the Series
With a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Boston Celtics are in prime position to advance to the next round. The Cavaliers will need to regroup and find a way to overcome their injuries in order to extend the series. Game 5 will be a crucial matchup for both teams, with the Celtics looking to close out the series and the Cavaliers fighting to stay alive. Stay tuned for more exciting playoff action between these two East Conference contenders.
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