Less than three weeks ago, when the Celtics and Cavaliers met at the Garden, Cleveland was riding high: Undefeated through 15 games, surprising the rest of the league and threatening Boston for dominance early in this 2024-25 season.
The Celtics quickly popped that bubble, beating the Cavs 120-117.
Now, with Boston headed to Cleveland for Sunday’s matchup, the Cavaliers are on the other end of things — they’re trying to avoid a three-game losing streak after a rough Thanksgiving week. Cleveland allowed 135 points to the Hawks in a loss on Wednesday (in large part thanks to Trae Young’s 20-point, 22-assist performance) and then lost again to Atlanta on Friday in Georgia.
But the Celtics are dealing with a few injuries, which could hamper their chances. Jaylen Brown (non-Covid illness) is out, as is Derrick White, who left Friday’s game against the Bulls with a right foot sprain.
Al Horford (left big toe sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) and Jrue Holiday (right adductor tightness) are all available.
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When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
TV, radio: NBA TV, NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -1.5. O/U: 233.5.
CELTICS
Season record: 16-3. vs. spread: 8-11. Over/under: 10-8, 1 push
Last 10 games: 9-1. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 6-4
CAVALIERS
Season record: 17-3. vs. spread: 14-6. Over/under: 13-7
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 6-4
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 121.2, Cleveland 122.4
Points allowed per game: Boston 110.6, Cleveland 112.6
Field goal percentage: Boston .464, Cleveland .511
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .467, Cleveland .460
3-point percentage: Boston .378, Cleveland .402
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .344, Cleveland .385
Stat of the day: The Cavaliers ranked No. 20 in points per game a season ago with 112.6. In their first season under Kenny Atkinson, they lead the NBA in scoring at 122.4.
Notes: The Cavaliers look to get back on track against a Celtics team riding a seven-game winning streak. The Celtics, averaging the NBA’s second-highest point-per-game output at 121.2, have bookended their streak with 139 points in a rout at Brooklyn on Nov. 13 and 138 points in a win Friday at Chicago. … In Friday’s NBA Cup win, Boston also got a huge performance off the bench from Payton Pritchard. His 29 points (19 in the fourth quarter) came on the heels of a 20-point outing in the Celtics’ 126-94 home blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. “The key to him is he finds different ways to impact games. He’s grown as a player over the course of his career,” Mazzulla said. “He’s a complete player. I know it sounds weird, but he’s one of the best three-level scorers I’ve seen for his size, and he’s just a high-level competitor.” … At 15.6 points per game, Pritchard is one of five Celtics averaging more than 12 points along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown (24.7), Derrick White (18.3) and Jrue Holiday (12.1).
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @k8tmac.
