CLEVELAND, OH – February 6, 2025 – The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics claimed a crucial 112-105 road victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Despite both teams struggling offensively, Boston’s bench provided the necessary spark to secure the win, moving the Celtics to 36-11 on the season and giving them a 2-1 advantage in the season series.
Slow Start for Both Teams
Boston’s offense opened sluggishly, making just one of their first nine shots. It wasn’t until Jaylen Brown’s putback tip at the eight-minute mark that the Celtics scored their second basket. Brown was Boston’s primary offensive force early, notching seven straight points.
Cleveland struggled even more from the field, hitting only two of their first 17 attempts. Kristaps Porzingis played a key role defensively for the Celtics, registering two early blocks. With four minutes left in the first quarter, Boston held a slim 9-6 lead in an uncharacteristically low-scoring affair.
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Celtics Establish Early Control
Brown remained the focal point of Boston’s attack, scoring a team-high 12 first-quarter points. Al Horford provided additional support off the bench, scoring eight points in just six and a half minutes. Payton Pritchard contributed a three-pointer, helping Boston close the quarter with a 29-15 lead.
Boston continued to control the tempo in the second quarter. Sam Hauser and Jayson Tatum connected on their first three-point attempts, while Boston’s big men capitalized on second-chance opportunities, securing eight offensive rebounds early on. Horford’s 10th point extended the Celtics’ lead to 40-23.
Despite Boston’s poor shooting percentage (35% from the field), their dominance on the boards helped maintain control. By halftime, Brown had 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, leading the Celtics to a 54-44 advantage.
Cavs Fight Back in Second Half
Porzingis opened the second half aggressively, scoring five quick points and assisting Tatum on a fast-break basket. However, foul trouble began to plague the Celtics, with Brown picking up his fourth foul, followed by a technical assessed by referee Scott Foster.
Cleveland took advantage of Boston’s frustrations, cutting the deficit to six points behind the efforts of Jarrett Allen (16 rebounds, 14 points) and Darius Garland (17 points after three quarters). Boston responded with key plays from Porzingis, Horford, and Tatum, rebuilding a 12-point cushion at 87-75 entering the final period.
Derrick White Seals the Win
Derrick White played a crucial role in the fourth quarter, knocking down multiple three-pointers while applying relentless defensive pressure on Donovan Mitchell. White’s forced backcourt violation on Mitchell and subsequent long-range shot pushed Boston’s lead to 95-80.
Cleveland refused to go quietly, mounting a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to just four points with under six minutes remaining. Mitchell’s free throw following Brown’s fifth foul cut Boston’s lead to 100-96, increasing the game’s intensity. However, White’s clutch shooting—finishing with 14 fourth-quarter points—helped Boston regain a comfortable lead.
With 20 seconds left, a late Cavaliers push brought the margin back to five, but Boston secured the victory from the free-throw line, closing out the contest at 112-105.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Celtics inch closer to the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Next, Boston will host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday at 7:30 PM EST in what promises to be another high-stakes matchup.
