The young Boston Celtics may be improving and fighting for that final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they were fish out of water.
They didn’t belong, and it resulted in their 110-79 loss that wasn’t nearly that close.
It was not a competitive game, as the Cavaliers held a lead of 44 points early in the fourth. Cleveland (38-24) toyed with Boston (23-35) and didn’t exert much energy in doing so.
LeBron James got wherever he wanted on the court with little to no resistance, leading the way with 27 points, three rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes. He has scored at least 20 points in his last 35 games against the Celtics and he surpassed his former teammate Ray Allen for No. 21 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Kyrie Irving returned to the starting lineup after missing the team’s last two games with a left shoulder strain. He didn’t miss a beat, going for 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting to go with six assists.
The Cavaliers have won 12 straight home games and have beaten their opponents by double-digits in 11 of their last 12 victories at The Q.
Every Cavalier starter scored in double-digits. Kevin Love, who was under the weather and a game-time decision, contributed 12 points and eight boards. JR Smith went for 12 points and the Cavaliers are 10-0 when Smith scores 10 or more at home.
Timofey Mozgov provided 10 points, six rebounds and a game-high three blocks in 20 minutes.
Boston’s language and constant bickering at one another exemplified they’re not quite ready to take that next step into being a true playoff hopeful. They merely served as a warmup for the Cavaliers’ opponent on Wednesday night.
Brandon Bass was Boston’s top performer with 15 points and five rebounds.
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