Brown and White Dominate Scoring
In the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA playoffs, the Boston Celtics faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jaylen Brown led the charge with an impressive 32-point performance, while Derrick White exploded from beyond the arc with 7 three-pointers, contributing to the Celtics’ decisive 120-95 victory in Game 1.
Top Seeds Clash
Despite missing key players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jarrett Allen, the Celtics showcased their offensive firepower early on. Brown’s aggressive start, including a quick three-pointer within the first minute of play, propelled the Celtics to a 12-2 lead. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers’ comeback efforts, but the Celtics maintained a 6-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Brown’s Hot Streak
Both teams struggled with shooting accuracy in the second quarter, but Brown’s remarkable performance kept the Celtics ahead. With a halftime lead of 59-49, Brown’s 20-point outburst gave the Celtics a comfortable advantage going into the break.
White’s Three-Point Barrage
Derrick White continued the Celtics’ offensive onslaught in the third quarter, knocking down four three-pointers and scoring 14 points in the period. Despite Mitchell’s impressive scoring for the Cavaliers, lack of support from his teammates allowed the Celtics to extend their lead to 15 points by the end of the quarter.
Cavaliers’ Attempts to Rally
In the final quarter, the Cavaliers showed signs of life as Evan Mobley scored 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ lead. With a 20-point advantage, the Celtics cruised to a commanding victory, crushing any hopes of a Cavaliers comeback.
Balanced Scoring for Celtics
Five Celtics players scored in double digits, with Brown leading the charge with 32 points, followed by White’s 25 points fueled by his seven three-pointers. Jayson Tatum contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 14 points. Payton Pritchard came off the bench to score 16 points, including four three-pointers.
Cavaliers’ Efforts Led by Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers in scoring with 33 points, supported by Evan Mobley’s 17 points and 13 rebounds. Darius Garland contributed 14 points, while Isaac Okoro added 11 points in a losing effort. (JILIEVO)
