Cleveland Cavaliers (13-10) @ Boston Celtics (16-5) Game #22 12/12/23

Tonight, the Boston Celtics, who are 10-0 at the TD Garden, will kick off a four game home stand. The first of back-to-back meetings with the Cleveland Cavaliers, both teams haven’t met since March 2023. While the Cavaliers won the 2022-2023 regular season series 3-1 against Boston, the Celtics will look to stay undefeated tonight on their home turf. First of three matchups this season, the C’s have an all-time record of 137-86 against the Cavaliers, which includes an 82-27 record against Cleveland all time at home.

The last time we’ve seen the Celtics this elite at home was the 2007-2008 season, where they finished 35-6 at the Garden. While undefeated is great, it means nothing if you can’t finish in the playoffs, period.

With the second best win percentage in the NBA (.762), the Celtics are coming off four days rest after defeating the New York Knicks 133-123. 7-3 in their last ten matchups, Boston is 4-1 in their last five, including victories over the Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks. With a league high +8.5 point differential, the C’s look to continue their dominance as the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics matched up against the Knicks after both teams were eliminated from from tournament contention.

After missing four games with a calf injury, Porzingis returned against his former team. While Boston had five players with points in double figures, Derrick White led the way with 30 points, two steals, two blocks, and three rebounds. With all five starters combining for 109 points, the C’s finished with a respectable 52.7 percent shot percentage from the field, and 40.4 percent from downtown. With the return of Porzingis allowed a ton of floor spacing, while the Unicorn put his entire skills sets on full display. With Boston’s identity slowing coming into it’s own, every starter on this roster has the capability to take over games.

While the Celtics fell short of winning the tournament trophy, they had a gut punch loss to the Indiana Pacers, 122-12 on December 4th. Although the C’s barely cruised by the Memphis Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors, they sealed key victories over the Knicks, 76ers, and Bucks, all teams above .500.

For Boston, they have the third best record over their last 10 games. While their overall numbers have slightly dipped, Boston is very much known for their defensive prowess. 4th overall in defensive efficiency, the C’s retain the second best net rating in the entire league (8.5).

The Cleveland Cavaliers, off the a shaky start, continue as the number 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Riddled with injuries to various players, Cleveland saw signs of life, winning three consecutive games before defeated 121-111 by the Magic. 7-4 on the road, the Cavaliers look to repeat as a top team in the East. While Max Strus earned a life-changing contract this season, the three guard lineup of him, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell hasn’t seen their max potential. Even worse, their offense has looked ugly as of late, lacking identity and fluidity.

With the momentum carrying over from their last victory, the C’s bench production and second unit is something to look for tonight.

INJURIES

CELTICS:

None

CAVALIERS:

• Evan Mobley (knee): DAY-TO-DAY
• Caris LeVert (knee): OUT
• Ty Jerome (ankle): OUT
• Ricky Rubio (personal): OUT

PROBABLE CELTICS STARTERS

• PG, #4: Jrue Holiday
• SG, #9: Derrick White
• SF, #7: Jaylen Brown
• PF, #0: Jayson Tatum
• C, #4: Kristaps Porzingis

CELTICS RESERVES

• G, #45: Dalano Banton
• G, #50: Svi Mykhailiuk
• G, #11: Payton Pritchard
• G, #27: Jordan Walsh
• G, #20: JD Davidson (2-way player)
• F, #12: Oshae Brissett
• F, #30: Sam Hauser
• F, #77: Lamar Stevens
• F, #1: Nathan Knight (2-way player)
• F, #42: Al Horford
• C, #40: Luke Kornet
• C, #88: Neemias Queta (2-way player)

CELTICS HEAD COACH

• Joe Mazzulla

PROBABLE CAVALIERS STARTERS

• PG, #10: Darius Garland
• SG, #45: Donovan Mitchell
• SF, #22: Max Strus
• PF, #14: Evan Mobley*
• C, #32: Jarrett Allen

*Dean Wade expected to start if Even Mobley is unable to suit up.

CAVALIERS RESERVES

• G, #2: Ty Jerome
• G, #30 : Damian Jones
• G, #3: Caris LeVert
• G, #5: Sam Merrill
• G, #9: Craig Porter (2-way player)
• G, #13 : Ricky Rubio
• F, #21: Emoni Bates (2-way player)
• F #20: Georges Niang
• F, #35: Isaac Okoro
• F, #15: Isaiah Mobley (2-way player0
• F, #32: Dean Wade
• C, #12: Tristan Thompson

CAVALIERS HEAD COACH

• John-Blair Bickerstaff

Keys for a Cs win

Home court advantage:

The season is young, and the Celtics have only been handed 5 losses. While Joe Mazzulla did mention 21 games is a small sample size, we can’t deny how incredible this team is playing in front of their home fans. At the garden, the C’s averaged 124 points per game, compared to 111 on the road. As electric as their home arena is, it has a clear affect on Boston’s shooting percentages. Averaging over 40 percent from long range, Mazzulla’s squad has considerable increase in various stats at home, including rebounds, assists, free-throw percentage, and field-goal percentage. Look for that to continue tonight.

Defense

The C’s have arguably one of the best backcourt duos in the league in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. With swagger and grit, they impose a threat against opposing defenses on a nightly basis. With a defensive rating of 109, Boston will face a Cavaliers team that’s struggled on the offensive end. Only putting up 110 points per game, Cleveland didn’t receive much help outside of Darius Garlands 36 point effort against the Magic. While Garland and Mitchell propel the offense, Cleveland has one of the worst three-point percentages in the league (34.1). While the Celtic’s defense can be stifling, it can really make a difference tonight against such a poor scoring team.

Take advantage of a healthy C’s lineup

The Celtics have been blessed with a fairly healthy roster this season, minus losing Porzingis for a few games. With the unicorn back in the lineup the C’s continue to develop chemistry within their top 6, and we saw just that against the Knicks. With the starting five putting up 535 total points this season, they had a nice balance of attack against New York. With all 5 starters with points in double figures, this team can build off that momentum into tonight, where Evan Mobley is questionable for the Cavaliers.

X-Factors

Rest

It’s rare nowadays to get four days rest coming off a weekend in the NBA. While the Cavaliers are coming off a second straight game, the Celtics had plenty of time to recover and heal. Off three days rest, Boston is 1-0, and averaging 133 points per game. Additionally the Celtics are undefeated off 5 days rest. While a majority of their games have come off one days rest, it’s certainly a factor and an opportunity to reset tonight.

Cavaliers are banged up

You hate to see injuries in the league, especially to multiple players. If Evan Mobley is unable to suit up, Cleveland will have less protection around the rim, opening up mismatches and opportunities for the Celtics. While Porzingis is a valid floor spacer, pulling Allen out of the paint will be crucial for Boston. If LeVert and Mobley aren’t able to play, the Cavaliers will continue to struggle on the offensive end.

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