Current:Home > reviewsMitchell has 33 points, but Cavaliers can’t contain Tatum and Brown in Game 3 loss to Celtics -Secure Horizon Growth
Mitchell has 33 points, but Cavaliers can’t contain Tatum and Brown in Game 3 loss to Celtics
View
Date:2025-04-17 16:12:10
CLEVELAND (AP) — Slouched in a chair in front of his corner locker, Donovan Mitchell’s white leggings were torn and there was a blood stain near his right knee.
His healthy knee.
Mitchell scored 33 points in another stellar performance, but Cleveland’s All-Star guard didn’t get nearly enough help as the Cavaliers were outgunned by the Boston Celtics, who won Game 3 106-93 on Saturday night t o take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Mitchell appeared to aggravate a left knee injury in the fourth quarter and wasn’t even on the floor for the finish. With the Celtics up by 13, he headed straight to the locker room for treatment with Game 4 on Monday less than 48 hours away.
The Cavs couldn’t duplicate their strong Game 2 performance in Boston, and were doomed on their home court by a slow start in the third quarter when the Celtics scored the first 14 points and opened a 23-point lead.
“There’s a bunch of things that we could have done better,” Mitchell said, glancing at the box score. “We got 36 3-pointers (attempts) so offensively, we’ve got to shoot a little better. Defensively we held them to 106, but it felt crazier because of those spurts.”
Jayson Tatum (33) and Jaylen Brown (28) combined for 61 points to carry the Celtics, who made 13 3-pointers after going just 8 of 35 on 3s in Game 2.
Mitchell tried to counter Tatum and Brown by making 7 of 12 3-pointers. But he was the only Cleveland player showing any range as the rest of the Cavs went a combined 5 of 24 from beyond the arc.
Evan Mobley scored 17 points, but the Celtics did a much better job containing him than in Game 2. Boston switched bigger defenders on the 22-year-old who is having to handle center duties with Jarrett Allen still nursing a rib injury.
Darius Garland was just 6 of 15 from the floor, missing on some drives he’d like to have back.
Cleveland’s biggest problem was its inability to stop Tatum and Brown when it mattered most.
“They’re going to get shots,” Garland said. “That’s their two guys. They’re going to make shots, so just try to do whatever we can and make it difficult for them to get to the rim or make ’em take tough twos.”
For the most part, the Cavs did that. But after Cleveland cut Boston’s lead to nine in the fourth quarter, Tatum and Brown took turns hitting big shots.
“You got to make it tough, and I thought we did that,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I thought both of them hit some really difficult shots. They went into iso and took mid-range turnaround, contested twos that our guys challenged them on. They make those because they’re elite offensive players.”
The Cavs had success with a smaller lineup in the second half as Dean Wade returned after missing two months with a knee injury.
Wade hit his first 3-pointer and played well enough in 16 minutes that he may get more going forward.
“Thought he was really good in his minutes, not playing basketball for eight weeks, having the confidence to come in and first shot was a catch and shoot,” Bickerstaff said about Wade. “That was a good sign for him. He did a really good job being who he is, defensively guard multiple positions and then helping us keep our offense moving.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Jane Pauley on the authenticity of Charles Osgood
- Alex Murdaugh tries to prove jury tampering led to his murder conviction
- Jannik Sinner establishes himself as legitimate star with comeback win at Australian Open
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- How Below Deck Has Changed Since Captain Lee Rosbach's Departure
- 'Vanderpump Rules,' 'Scandoval' and a fight that never ends
- Coyote with bucket stuck on head rescued from flooded valley south of San Diego
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Fact-checking Apple TV's 'Masters of the Air': What Austin Butler show gets right (and wrong)
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Caroline Manzo sues Bravo over sexual harassment by Brandi Glanville on 'Real Housewives'
- Ravens QB Lamar Jackson catches own pass. That's right, Gisele, he throws and catches ball
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they attacked a US warship without evidence. An American official rejects the claim
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- 2 teens fatally shot while leaving Chicago school identified: 'Senseless act of violence'
- Bayley, Cody Rhodes win WWE Royal Rumble 2024. What does that mean for WrestleMania 40?
- Former NHL player accused of sexual assault turns himself in to Ontario police
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Watch Pregnant Sofia Richie's Reaction to Finding Out the Sex of Her Baby
A famed NYC museum is closing 2 Native American halls, and others have taken similar steps
Dakota Johnson's 'SNL' opening monologue crashed by Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Watch this miracle stray cat beat cancer after finding a loving home
North Korean cruise missile tests add to country’s provocative start to 2024
Where is Super Bowl 58? Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is set to host Chiefs vs. 49ers