Cleveland Cavaliers dominate Boston Celtics in Game 2 to even series

The Cleveland Cavaliers evened the score in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics, winning 118-94 at TD Garden on Thursday.

After a tough loss in Game 1, the Cavaliers came back strong to turn the tables on the Celtics and snatch home-court advantage from them.

On May 7, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts, Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics high fives Jayson Tatum #0 during Round 2 Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden.

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The Boston Celtics dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the East semifinals, winning convincingly with a score of 120-95.

All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell had an impressive performance, scoring 29 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out eight assists to lead Cleveland to their first victory of the series.

After a close first half, both teams were tied at 54 going into halftime. In the second half, the fourth-seeded Cavs took control of the game and dominated.

Mitchell had an outstanding performance after the break, scoring 23 out of his 29 points in the second half. The Cavs offense was firing on all cylinders, while the Celtics had a hard time getting their game going.

After the game, Mitchell shared, "I hadn’t shot much, trying to find ways to get guys involved early and picking my spots. I was just continuing to find ways to apply pressure on them."

"In the second half, it was scoring. Sometimes, it’s assists. Sometimes, it’s rebounds. Whatever it takes. And when it was time to go, it’s time to go. I knew, at some point, I was going to have to start, obviously, shooting."

When Mitchell banked in a triple in the fourth quarter to put Cleveland up by 15, he knew things were going his way.

“Sometimes, you get lucky. Shooters shoot,” he said.

Six Cavaliers managed to score in double digits, with all the starting players contributing. The team as a whole shot close to 55% from the field and over 46% from three-point range.

Evan Mobley, playing at center instead of power forward due to Jarrett Allen's injury, scored 21 points. Caris LeVert also added 21 points coming off the bench.

Game 2 was a letdown for the Celtics, who were expected to be top contenders after dominating the regular season with the best record in the NBA.

Despite All-Star forward Jayson Tatum scoring 25 points, Boston struggled to match Cleveland's offense in the second half. The team's shooting percentages dropped significantly after halftime, with the Celtics shooting 36.1% from the field and only 11.1% from three-point range, making just two of their 18 attempts.

Tatum is defended by Max Strus during the game.

Tatum is defended by Max Strus during the game.

Jaylen Brown, Celtics All-Star, expressed his disappointment after the game. He mentioned that the team struggled with shooting the ball. However, what upset him the most was their defensive performance. Giving up 118 points and losing the rebound battle were areas where they didn't perform well.

When faced with a setback, you accept it, grow from it, and then give your all in the next opportunity. It's important to be prepared to bounce back.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of handling losses with the same attitude as victories. The team should analyze the game, make improvements, and be ready for the next challenge.

The Boston Celtics, who have won 17 championships, faced a surprising loss in Game 2 against the Miami Heat in the first round. However, they quickly bounced back and ended up winning the series in five games.

The upcoming Game 3 will take place in Ohio on Saturday night.

Mavericks fight back to tie series against Thunder at 1-1

Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić overcame a frustrating Game 1 as his Dallas Mavericks squad defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 119-110.

Dončić had an impressive performance in the game, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block. Despite finishing third in MVP voting, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, he played a crucial role in the Mavericks' victory.

After the game, Dončić mentioned that it was one of the toughest games he had played. He expressed his dedication to giving his best on the court to help the team secure the win.

"They have an impressive lineup of players with excellent skills. The team has a strong bond and works well together, making them a formidable opponent. It's going to be a challenging match, a real battle until the very end. I have a lot of respect for Oklahoma, but it was a significant victory for us to win this game."

Dončić drives to the basket during the game.

Dončić drives to the basket during the game.

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PJ Washington contributed 29 points and 11 rebounds for Dallas, while Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 33 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks.

The top-seeded Thunder experienced their first loss of the postseason, and Game 3 will take place on Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Editor's P/S:

The Cleveland Cavaliers' impressive victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics has evened the series and shifted the momentum in their favor. Donovan Mitchell's stellar performance and the team's overall dominance in the second half were crucial factors in their success. The Celtics, who were expected to be a top contender, struggled to keep up with Cleveland's offense and now face an uphill battle to regain home-court advantage.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have also tied their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 1-1. Luka Dončić's determination and leadership were evident in Game 2, as he led his team to victory despite facing a tough opponent. The Thunder, despite their impressive regular season record, have yet to find their rhythm in the playoffs. The upcoming games in both series promise to be intense and unpredictable, as each team looks to gain an edge and advance to the next round.