Despite the absence of Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers refused to bow out quietly against the formidable Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Held at the bustling Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the game was a spectacle of resilience and fierce competition. The Boston Celtics, riding high with a 3-1 series lead, had to dig deep to secure a 109-102 victory in a match that was far from the anticipated blowout.
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ forward, shone brightly, leading his team with an impressive stat line of 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. It’s the playoffs, they don’t want to go home. Give them credit … they played hard from beginning to end and made big plays on both ends. They hit big shots, so it was a battle, and it was fun out there.”
Cavaliers’ Valiant Effort Despite Mitchell’s Absence
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ hopes took a hit with Mitchell’s calf injury, sidelining him following a 33-point performance in Game 3. His absence was deeply felt, yet the team started strong, initially leading 8-2, thanks to Max Strus’s early triples. This fiery start was a clear message: the Cleveland Cavaliers were not ready to give up.
ACONTECEU
O BOSTON CELTICS ELIMINA O CLEVELAND CAVALIERS POR 4-1
CELTICS NAS FINAIS DO LESTE
DANÇA, PAI PRESENTE
DANÇA, JAYSON TATUMpic.twitter.com/HG5MR8goJc
— NBA da bad (@NBAdabad) May 16, 2024
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised his team’s resolve, “They laid it all out there,” he said. “They gave us everything that they had.
They competed at a high level. They played the game properly. I’m proud of the guys, the way they went out and scrapped and competed and gave ourselves a chance.”
However, the initial burst of energy from the Cleveland Cavaliers diminished as their shooting from beyond the arc cooled off dramatically, ending the game with a 26.2% success rate from the three-point line. The stark drop in shooting efficiency underscored the challenge of maintaining intensity over the full 48 minutes.
Boston Celtics’ Road Advantage and Home Hurdles
As the series returns to Boston for Game 5, the Boston Celtics are presented with an opportunity to clinch the series on their home court—a feat they managed against Miami in the first round.
However, their home game performance has been inconsistent in recent postseasons, with a 14-14 record. Jaylen Brown and his teammates are keenly aware of the need to elevate their game at home, “There’s nothing better than winning a playoff game on the road,” Brown observed. “Now it’s time to go back and play well in front of our fans and give them something to cheer for and try to get a win.”
Looking Ahead: Game 5 Expectations
As the series pivots back to Boston, the pressure mounts on both teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers, potentially still without Mitchell, will need to maintain their aggressive gameplay and sharp defense.
Darius Garland, who stepped up with 30 points and seven assists in Game 4, emphasized the strategy moving forward, “The same aggressiveness, the same attitude, try to get as many 3s up as we can and then just keep being aggressive going to the rim.”
The Boston Celtics, on the other hand, aim to leverage their road momentum to overcome their home court jitters and deliver a performance worthy of their fans’ expectations. With both teams facing their unique challenges, Game 5 promises to be a pivotal showdown in this thrilling Eastern Conference semifinal series.
