Celtics hand Cavaliers first loss of season, winning 120-117 to end Cleveland’s 15-game win streak – Boston News, Weather, Sports

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BOSTON (AP) — The defending NBA champions held off the league’s hottest workforce on Tuesday evening, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 factors and including 12 rebounds to guide the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss after 15 straight wins to open the season.

Cleveland minimize a 21-point deficit to 2 within the third quarter, and Donovan Mitchell hit a rainbow 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to make it a four-point recreation. Tatum sank considered one of two free throws, after which clobbered Mitchell on the different finish, leaving the Cavaliers guard on the ground in want of medical consideration.

Mitchell ultimately stepped to the road and sank each free throws, however Boston inbounded the ball with out hassle and handed it downcourt for a simple Al Horford dunk to clinch it.

Tatum sank six of Boston’s 22 3-pointers, and added seven assists for Boston’s third straight win.

Mitchell scored 35 factors, and Evan Mobley had 22 factors and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have been the fourth workforce in NBA historical past to open the season with 15 wins in a row. The 15-game profitable streak was longest in Cavaliers franchise historical past.

Takeaways

Cleveland was an early shock as the highest workforce within the Japanese Convention, nevertheless it is aware of it won’t be simple to get previous Boston, ought to they meet within the playoffs.

Key second

The Celtics scored 19 of the final 26 factors within the second quarter to show a five-point lead right into a 65-48 benefit on the break. Cleveland minimize a 21-point deficit to 2 factors within the third.

Key stat

The Celtics have been 14 for 22 from 3-point vary within the first half. They have been up by 5 factors with 5:05 left once they hit 4 straight 3’s, and 6 in all down the stretch, opening a 65-48 halftime lead.