The Boston Celtics kept their momentum rolling on Monday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the win, Boston takes a commanding 3-1 series lead, just one step away from the Conference Finals. Behind Jayson Tatum’s steady scoring and a savvy defensive performance, the Celtics controlled key runs in the second half despite a determined Cavs squad playing without Donovan Mitchell.
Game / News Breakdown
The Cavaliers entered Game 4 shorthanded, with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell ruled out due to a left calf strain. Despite his absence, Cleveland came out energized at home, trading buckets with the Celtics through the first half. Darius Garland stepped up early, and Evan Mobley remained active on both ends, pushing Boston’s frontcourt.
The Celtics, however, leaned on their playoff experience and depth. Boston used a strong third-quarter surge to gain separation, spearheaded by tight ball movement and perimeter shooting. Holding Cleveland to under 25 points in the third quarter proved to be the difference.
Boston’s defense tightened in crunch time, forcing turnovers and outworking the Cavs on the boards. Although Cleveland made a late push behind Max Strus and Caris LeVert, it wasn’t enough to overcome the shot-making and composure of the Celtics.
Key Players & Performances
Jayson Tatum once again led by example, delivering a balanced and efficient game. While he didn’t put up massive scoring numbers early, he found his rhythm in the second half and made several key plays late.
Top performances from the night:
– **Jayson Tatum**: 33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists
– **Jaylen Brown**: 27 points, active on both ends of the court
– **Derrick White**: 16 points, strong point-of-attack defense
– **Al Horford**: Clutch threes, solid rim protection
– **Darius Garland (Cleveland)**: 30 points, 7 assists, resilient performance
– **Evan Mobley (Cleveland)**: 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks
With Mitchell out, the pressure was on Garland to create both for himself and others — and he delivered. But the rest of the supporting cast couldn’t consistently find their scoring touch against Boston’s rotations.
Team Impact & Standings
With this victory, the Celtics take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, swinging the pendulum heavily in their favor. Boston has looked locked in during this playoff stretch, blending sharp offense with stifling half-court defense.
Key implications:
– Boston is just one win away from reaching their third Eastern Conference Finals in the last four years.
– The Celtics are proving their depth and defensive versatility, especially with Kristaps Porzingis still sidelined.
– Cleveland could be in trouble if Mitchell’s injury lingers—no team in NBA history has come back from down 3-0, and only a handful from 3-1.
The Cavs showed glimpses of potential, particularly on defense and hustle plays, but lacking a true go-to scorer in Mitchell’s absence made a late comeback difficult.
What’s Next
Game 5 shifts back to Boston’s TD Garden on Wednesday, where the Celtics will look to close out the series in front of their home crowd. With momentum on their side and Cleveland dealing with key injuries, all signs point toward a Boston win — but the Cavaliers aren’t likely to go quietly.
For the Celtics:
– They’ll aim to stay sharp and avoid a letdown game.
– Expect more minutes from the bench if they build an early lead.
For the Cavaliers:
– All eyes are on Donovan Mitchell’s health.
– More production is needed from Strus, LeVert, and Mobley to extend the series.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics are living up to their status as championship favorites, coming through in the clutch during a tough Game 4 matchup in Cleveland. With a 3-1 cushion and their stars playing at a high level, they control their destiny in this semifinal series.
The Cavaliers have shown toughness, but without Donovan Mitchell on the floor, pulling off a comeback becomes a daunting task. Game 5 in Boston could very well be the end of the road for Cleveland — unless they find a way to flip the script quickly.