Jayson Tatum 33 Sparks Celtics to 3-1 Lead over Cavaliers

On Monday night, the Boston Celtics had a tough time against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that many thought they would beat easily. The Cavaliers aren’t as strong as the Celtics, but they put up a good fight.

In Game 4, Jayson Tatum played great, scoring 33 points for the Celtics. LeBron James, sitting courtside. The Cavaliers were missing a bunch of their main players, so it was a tough game for them. But the Celtics didn’t have it easy either. Jaylen Brown also stepped up, adding 27 points to the Celtics’ score.

With this win, the Celtics are in a really good spot, leading the series 3-1. If they win the next game, Game 5. Which is at home on Wednesday night, they’ll knock the Cavaliers out of the playoffs.

Jaylen Brown mentioned that it took the Celtics some time to get into the groove and focus on playing basketball instead of just watching the ball. He highlighted the need for the team to stay active and engaged throughout the game.

Looking ahead, if the series requires a Game 6, it will take place at Rocket Mortgage Field House on Friday. This means that if the Celtics don’t manage to close out the series in Game 5. They’ll have another chance to do so in Game 6, but this time on the Cavaliers’ home court.

The Cavaliers found themselves in a tough spot, on the edge of being eliminated from the playoffs. Adding to their challenge, two key players, Donovan Mitchell with a calf injury. Jarrett Allen nursing rib issues, were sidelined and watching from the bench in regular clothes.

The absence of these top players created uncertainty for the team’s future games. It remains unclear whether Mitchell and Allen will be able to return to the lineup for the upcoming matches. Further complicating the Cavaliers’ situation as they fight to stay alive in the playoffs.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, coping with injuries has been a recurring challenge throughout the season.

However, the absence of Donovan Mitchell, their star guard, and Jarrett Allen, their top rebounder, posed a significant hurdle. Mitchell, who has been instrumental in carrying the team’s offensive responsibilities during the playoffs, was sorely missed. His dynamic scoring ability and leadership on the court have been crucial for the Cavaliers’ success.

Additionally, Allen’s absence deprived the team of their leading rebounder. Which impacting their ability to dominate the boards and control the flow of the game.

Despite their resilience in dealing with injuries throughout the season. The Cavaliers faced a daunting task trying to navigate through the playoffs without two key players. Who have played pivotal roles in their success.

Despite the challenges they faced, the Cavaliers didn’t back down against the top-seeded Celtics. Who have a history of losing focus when it matters most. Cleveland put up a strong fight and gave their all against a formidable opponent.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s effort, acknowledging that they left everything on the court. He commended their high level of competition and their commitment to playing the game the right way.

Bickerstaff expressed pride in his players for their determination, grit, and competitiveness throughout the game. Despite the outcome, he emphasized the Cavaliers’ resilience and their ability to give themselves a chance to win through their hard work and dedication on the court.

Jayson Tatum continued his impressive streak with another standout performance. Which contributing not only 33 points but also grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out five assists.

This marked his second consecutive strong showing, showcasing his versatility and impact on both ends of the court. Additionally, Jrue Holiday chipped in with 16 points for the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics’ victory in Game 4 further solidified their dominance on the road in the postseason, maintaining a flawless 4-0 record away from home. Jayson Tatum expressed the joy of winning a playoff game in a hostile environment. By emphasizing the satisfaction of triumphing on the road. Jayson Tatum credited the spirited atmosphere created by the opposing crowd, acknowledging the challenge they posed.

Darius Garland led the charge for the Cavaliers, pouring in 30 points, while Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert each contributed 19 points, keeping Cleveland in the game. Despite the Celtics holding a lead, the Cavaliers remained within striking distance. which trailing by only 10 points heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Boston extended their lead to 15 points after Jaylen Brown sunk a jumper. However, Cleveland quickly fought back with a 10-2 run, sparked by three-pointers from Garland and Dean Wade.

This surge helped the Cavaliers narrow the gap and keep the game competitive. Which showcasing their resilience and determination to stay in contention against a strong Celtics team.

As the game remained tightly contested, the Cavaliers trailed by just five points, with the score at 102-97. When Max Strus missed a crucial three pointer. Had he made it, it would have significantly increased the pressure on the Celtics.

However, Jaylen Brown came through for Boston, burying a three pointer with 1:08 remaining, despite colliding with official Tyler Ford in the process. This shot provided the Celtics with some much-needed breathing room.

Brown expressed frustration with the collision, suggesting that Ford’s presence may have affected the play. He emphasized the importance of being aware of the officials’ positioning on the court. Nonetheless, Brown downplayed the incident, noting that since the shot went in, it ultimately didn’t impact the outcome of the game.

The Cavaliers felt the huge difference in free throw attempts between the two teams was a significant factor in the game. While the Boston Celtics went to the free-throw line 24 times, the Cavaliers only had seven attempts.

Darius Garland expressed frustration with this, describing it as “ridiculous.” He emphasized how difficult it was to only get seven free throw attempts, especially considering the amount of contact he and his teammates endure during the game.

LeBron James, who had two separate stints with the Cavaliers spanning 11 seasons, returned to his former home arena for the game. His presence inevitably sparked speculation about his future in the NBA and where he might choose to play next. Which adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

LeBron James, the all time leading scorer in NBA history, has the option to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. However, James has stated that he hasn’t made any final decisions regarding his future plans.

During the game, the 39-year-old LeBron sat courtside across from the Boston Celtics’ bench, accompanied by his wife, Savannah, and his agent, Rich Paul. When James appeared on the scoreboard during a timeout in the first quarter. The Cleveland crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Which showing their appreciation for the basketball legend who had two notable stints with the Cavaliers.

Despite battling a left knee injury for several months, Donovan Mitchell showcased his scoring prowess throughout the playoffs, averaging an impressive 29.6 points in the first 10 games. His standout performance included a remarkable 50-point outing in Game 6, although it ended in a loss to the Orlando Magic.

In the closing moments of Cleveland’s loss in Game 3 on Saturday, Donovan Mitchell suffered a calf injury. As a result, he was listed as questionable on Sunday’s injury report. Despite undergoing round the clock treatment, Mitchell didn’t have sufficient time to recover fully, leading to his absence from Game 4.

Following the game, the five time All Star opted not to comment, politely nodding as he left the locker room.

Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers’ center, missed his seventh consecutive game due to a painful injury sustained during the opening round of the playoffs. Despite ongoing efforts to recover, Allen remained sidelined for Game 4.

With Jrue Holiday scoring seven consecutive points, the Celtics surged ahead by 13 points in the second quarter, seemingly poised to pull away from the Cavaliers.

However, Cleveland mounted a spirited comeback as Max Strus, who had been struggling with his outside shooting throughout the playoffs, suddenly found his rhythm. Strus drained consecutive 3-pointers as part of a 13-3 run for the Cavaliers, narrowing the deficit to 62-57 by halftime.

Meanwhile, Boston’s center Kristaps Porzingis remained sidelined for his fifth consecutive game due to injury. Despite this setback, the Celtics found encouragement in the fact that Porzingis was able to engage in some on-court activities, indicating progress in his recovery.