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Tonight, the Boston Celtics, who’re 10-0 on the TD Backyard, will kick off a 4 recreation residence stand. The primary of back-to-back conferences with the Cleveland Cavaliers, each groups haven’t met since March 2023. Whereas the Cavaliers gained the 2022-2023 common season collection 3-1 towards Boston, the Celtics will look to remain undefeated tonight on their residence turf. First of three matchups this season, the C’s have an all-time document of 137-86 towards the Cavaliers, which incorporates an 82-27 document towards Cleveland all time at residence.
The final time we’ve seen the Celtics this elite at residence was the 2007-2008 season, the place they completed 35-6 on the Backyard. Whereas undefeated is nice, it means nothing for those who can’t end within the playoffs, interval.
With the second greatest win share within the NBA (.762), the Celtics are coming off 4 days relaxation after defeating the New York Knicks 133-123. 7-3 of their final ten matchups, Boston is 4-1 of their final 5, together with victories over the Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks. With a league excessive +8.5 level differential, the C’s look to proceed their dominance because the primary seed within the Jap Convention. The Celtics matched up towards the Knicks after each groups have been eradicated from from match rivalry.
After lacking 4 video games with a calf harm, Porzingis returned towards his former staff. Whereas Boston had 5 gamers with factors in double figures, Derrick White led the best way with 30 factors, two steals, two blocks, and three rebounds. With all 5 starters combining for 109 factors, the C’s completed with a good 52.7 p.c shot share from the sphere, and 40.4 p.c from downtown. With the return of Porzingis allowed a ton of flooring spacing, whereas the Unicorn put his complete abilities units on full show. With Boston’s id slowing coming into it’s personal, each starter on this roster has the aptitude to take over video games.
Whereas the Celtics fell in need of successful the match trophy, they’d a intestine punch loss to the Indiana Pacers, 122-12 on December 4th. Though the C’s barely cruised by the Memphis Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors, they sealed key victories over the Knicks, 76ers, and Bucks, all groups above .500.
For Boston, they’ve the third greatest document over their final 10 video games. Whereas their total numbers have barely dipped, Boston could be very a lot identified for his or her defensive prowess. 4th total in defensive effectivity, the C’s retain the second greatest web ranking in all the league (8.5).
The Cleveland Cavaliers, off the a shaky begin, proceed because the quantity 7 seed within the Jap Convention. Riddled with accidents to varied gamers, Cleveland noticed indicators of life, successful three consecutive video games earlier than defeated 121-111 by the Magic. 7-4 on the highway, the Cavaliers look to repeat as a prime staff within the East. Whereas 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 seemed ugly as of late, missing id and fluidity.
With the momentum carrying over from their final victory, the C’s bench manufacturing and second unit is one thing to search for tonight.
INJURIES
CELTICS:
None
CAVALIERS:
- Evan Mobley (knee): DAY-TO-DAY
- Caris LeVert (knee): OUT
- Ty Jerome (ankle): OUT
- Ricky Rubio (private): OUT
PROBABLE CELTICS STARTERS
- PG, #4: Jrue Vacation
- 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 participant)
- F, #12: Oshae Brissett
- F, #30: Sam Hauser
- F, #77: Lamar Stevens
- F, #1: Nathan Knight (2-way participant)
- F, #42: Al Horford
- C, #40: Luke Kornet
- C, #88: Neemias Queta (2-way participant)
CELTICS HEAD COACH
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 anticipated to start out if Even Mobley is unable to swimsuit 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 participant)
- G, #13 : Ricky Rubio
- F, #21: Emoni Bates (2-way participant)
- 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
Keys for a Cs win
Dwelling courtroom benefit:
The season is younger, and the Celtics have solely been handed 5 losses. Whereas Joe Mazzulla did point out 21 video games is a small pattern measurement, we will’t deny how unimaginable this staff is enjoying in entrance of their residence followers. On the backyard, the C’s averaged 124 factors per recreation, in comparison with 111 on the highway. As electrical as their residence area is, it has a transparent have an effect on on Boston’s taking pictures percentages. Averaging over 40 p.c from lengthy vary, Mazzulla’s squad has appreciable improve in varied stats at residence, together with rebounds, assists, free-throw share, and field-goal share. Search for that to proceed tonight.
Protection
The C’s have arguably among the finest backcourt duos within the league in Jrue Vacation and Derrick White. With swagger and grit, they impose a menace towards opposing defenses on a nightly foundation. With a defensive ranking of 109, Boston will face a Cavaliers staff that’s struggled on the offensive finish. Solely placing up 110 factors per recreation, Cleveland didn’t obtain a lot assist exterior of Darius Garlands 36 level effort towards the Magic. Whereas Garland and Mitchell propel the offense, Cleveland has one of many worst three-point percentages within the league (34.1). Whereas the Celtic’s protection will be stifling, it will probably actually make a distinction tonight towards such a poor scoring staff.
Benefit from a wholesome C’s lineup
The Celtics have been blessed with a reasonably wholesome roster this season, minus shedding Porzingis for just a few video games. With the unicorn again within the lineup the C’s proceed to develop chemistry inside their prime 6, and we noticed simply that towards the Knicks. With the beginning 5 placing up 535 whole factors this season, they’d a pleasant steadiness of assault towards New York. With all 5 starters with factors in double figures, this staff can construct off that momentum into tonight, the place Evan Mobley is questionable for the Cavaliers.
X-Components
Relaxation
It’s uncommon these days to get 4 days relaxation coming off a weekend within the NBA. Whereas the Cavaliers are coming off a second straight recreation, the Celtics had loads of time to recuperate and heal. Off three days relaxation, Boston is 1-0, and averaging 133 factors per recreation. Moreover the Celtics are undefeated off 5 days relaxation. Whereas a majority of their video games have come off one days relaxation, it’s definitely an element and a chance to reset tonight.
Cavaliers are banged up
You hate to see accidents within the league, particularly to a number of gamers. If Evan Mobley is unable to swimsuit up, Cleveland may have much less safety across the rim, opening up mismatches and alternatives for the Celtics. Whereas Porzingis is a sound flooring spacer, pulling Allen out of the paint can be essential for Boston. If LeVert and Mobley aren’t capable of play, the Cavaliers will proceed to wrestle on the offensive finish.
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