The Boston Celtics continued their postseason dominance with a 105-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Boston, executing with precision in the second half, weathered Cleveland’s early momentum and closed things out in crunch time — all without their All-Star big man Kristaps Porziņģis.
It was a full-team effort led by Jayson Tatum, who once again proved why he’s one of the league’s top playoff performers.
Game / News Breakdown
This Game 4 showdown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse looked like it might tilt Cleveland’s way early. The Cavaliers came out strong, energized by their home crowd, and kept things close thanks to aggressive play from Darius Garland and strong bench contributions.
But the Celtics, showing poise from start to finish, slowly took control. The turning point came late in the third quarter when Boston tightened up defensively and went on a 12-2 run, shifting the tempo and momentum in their favor.
Boston outscored Cleveland 27-18 in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on multiple forced turnovers and key shots down the stretch. The Cavs, already without Donovan Mitchell (calf strain), ran out of offensive firepower when it mattered most.
With the win, Boston improves to 5-1 in these playoffs and is just one victory away from their second straight trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Key Players & Performances
Jayson Tatum brought a complete game to the floor in Game 4 — scoring efficiently, defending hard, and cleaning the glass.
– Tatum: 33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
– Derrick White: 16 points, including 4 threes
– Jaylen Brown: 27 points, 8 rebounds
– Jrue Holiday: All-around contribution with key defensive stops
Tatum’s ability to lead while staying composed was key. He attacked mismatches and drew fouls throughout the night, scoring from all three levels. His rebounding impact also stood out, especially with Porziņģis sidelined.
Equally important was Jaylen Brown, who played one of his most complete games this postseason. Brown slashed to the rim, hit timely mid-range shots, and never let the Cavaliers get into rhythm.
For Cleveland, Darius Garland stepped up in Mitchell’s absence, but it wasn’t enough:
– Garland: 30 points, 7 assists
– Caris LeVert: 19 points off the bench
– Evan Mobley: 17 points, 8 rebounds, strong interior defense
But Cleveland struggled from three — hitting just 10 of 38 attempts (26%), a stat that underscored their need for floor spacing and perimeter scoring when facing Boston’s elite perimeter defenders.
Team Impact & Standings
This win puts Boston in the driver’s seat. With a 3-1 lead, the Celtics return to TD Garden for Game 5 with a chance to close out the series on their home floor. Their intensity on defense and balanced offensive attack continue to showcase why they finished the regular season with the league’s best record (64-18).
For the Cavaliers, the loss is a major setback. Missing Mitchell was clearly painful, but their half-court offense also lacked rhythm, something they’ve struggled with throughout these playoffs. Cleveland is now one loss from elimination, and they’ll need to pull off something close to perfect to push the series back to Game 6.
Across the Eastern Conference:
– Boston is one win from advancing
– Knicks and Pacers are tied 2-2 in the other East semi
– Celtics would host either opponent in the next round
NBA fans are already eyeing a potential Celtics-Knicks conference final — one of the more historic rivalries in league history. But Boston will have to stay focused to finish the job.
What’s Next
Looking ahead:
– Game 5: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Wednesday night at 7:00 PM ET, Boston
– Injury watch: Still no timetable for Kristaps Porziņģis or Donovan Mitchell
– Celtics will aim to keep their 2024 playoff home record perfect
Joe Mazzulla’s team has done a good job staying disciplined and methodical, even with playoff pressure mounting. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White continue to operate as one of the most reliable backcourts in the league, especially on the defensive end.
If Boston keeps this level of composure, they’ll be tough for anyone to beat.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics once again showed why they’re one of the best teams in the NBA — executing late, defending hard, and getting big performances from their stars. With a 3-1 series lead and Game 5 at home, they’re in prime position to punch their ticket back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are flirting with elimination and could face some major offseason questions if their campaign ends in Game 5.