Donovan Mitchell led a collective effort by the Cavaliers who largely beat the Celtics (94-118) in Boston to bring the score to 1-1 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Mitchell scored 23 of his 29 points in the second half, which facilitated this spectacular rebound for the Cavs after their mistakes in the first game (120-95).
Evan Mobley got Cleveland going early, scoring 15 of his playoff-high 21 points in the first half. The 22-year-old center added 10 rebounds and five assists.
Full-back Caris LeVert contributed 21 points off the bench for Cleveland, who saw six players exceed twelve points.
In Oklahoma, Dallas was able to count on the 29 points and 10 rebounds of Luka Doncic, although still hampered by his right knee, to defeat the Thunder (110-119) in the semi-final of the Western Conference.
PJ Washington was also decisive for the Mavericks: the strong winger who arrived last February scored 29 points, like the Slovenian leader, and he managed 11 rebounds.
Second in the regular season MVP standings ahead of Luka Doncic but behind Serbian Nikola Jokic, Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded with 33 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Thunder.
Dallas will therefore approach Game 3 on Saturday at home with morale boosted against the No. 1 of the regular season in the West.
