Tag: Cleveland Cavaliers

Reacting to the Boston Celtics’ 109-102 Game 4 win vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers

Will they take care of their business on their own home court?

Now in possession of a commanding 3-1 lead in their 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers with their 109-102 Game 4 win at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse this past Monday (May 13) night, the Boston Celtics could close out the Cavs at TD Garden on Wednesday (May 15). Will they take care of their business on their own home court?

The Celtics have a chance to steal some rest while the opponent who will emerge from the tied-up East second round series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers settles that score. Could it be long enough to get star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis back on the court?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, reacted to the Celtics’ big Game 4 victory postgame on Monday night. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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The Boston Celtics survive the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead

With their 109-102 win, the Celtics are now in a position to close out the Cavs at their home court of TD Garden.

The Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in their 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse this past Monday (May 13) night. With their 109-102 win, the Celtics are now in a position to close out the Cavs at their home court of TD Garden this coming Wednesday (May 15) evening.

This may allow them to perhaps snatch a bit of rest as they await the winner of the New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers series, and perhaps get star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis back in the fold from his soleus injury.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a deep dive after the win. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics take commanding 3-1 series lead with Game 4 win in Cleveland

Will the Celtics close out the series on their home court of TD Garden for Game 5 of the East semis?

After gutting out a hard-fought, 109-102 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday (May 13) night, the Celtics have taken a commanding lead over the Cavs in their Eastern Conference semifinals series.

Led by star forward Jayson Tatum (33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) in what was perhaps his best game of the 2024 postseason to date, the Celtics appear to be finding a groove at exactly the right moment. Will the Celtics close out the series on their home court of TD Garden for Game 5 of the East semis? Or might Cleveland have one last trick up their collective sleeve for Boston to deal with?

NBC Sports Boston’s Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine, and Tom Giles took a closer look after the win on the most recent episode of “Celtics Postgame Live.”

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their takes!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 258: Game 4 wins, dad jokes, and debunking bad Boston narratives with Richard White

Shouldn’t they be better when key players like Donovan Mitchell aren’t available? And who taught Derrick White to be a master of dad jokes?

The Boston Celtics have a commanding 3-1 series lead vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in their East semis second round series. But there were moments in the contest where old Celtics habits crept back in and put the game’s outcome in doubt, with fans of the team predictably melting down on social media in response to those mistakes.

Do we need to worry about more of the same should Boston advance? And why is this still happening on some nights? Shouldn’t they be better on nights when key players like Donovan Mitchell aren’t available? And who taught Derrick White how to be a master of dad jokes?

If you’re wondering why that last question came up, it’s because the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast connected with Derrick White’s dad, Richard White, to enlist his help in killing bad narratives (and getting to the bottom of the best humor out there, at least in our opinion). We get into the Game 4 win and what might be coming down the pike in future games and rounds so be sure to check it out!


The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.


If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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PHOTOS: Boston vs. Cleveland – Celtics outlast Cavs 109-102 in Game 4

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 4 of their second round series vs. the Cavs.

The Boston Celtics are up 3-1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals thanks to a 109-104 Game 4 road victory. The Celtics have a chance to advance to the next round Wednesday night at home.

The Cavaliers were without Donovan Mitchell, who was ruled out with a calf strain shortly before tip-off. Mitchell is averaging 31 points per game this series, and his absence was a massive blow to Cleveland’s scoring, although lazy Celtics defense softened the blow for Cleveland. What resulted was a clunky game, and both teams were inconsistent at best on offense. Thanks to a fourth quarter run by the Cavaliers, things remained close until Boston was able to put the game on ice with a few timely free throws.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 4 of their second round series vs. the Cavs.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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LeBron James and Rich Paul are in Cleveland at Cavaliers-Celtics game

LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul came to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Celtics.

On Monday afternoon, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics tipped off Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Northeast Ohio.

The Celtics lead the series two games to one, and Cleveland may be up against it, as it is without star guard Donovan Mitchell for Game 4. Mitchell, as usual, has been lighting things up in the postseason, but a calf strain forced him to sit on Monday.

At the same time, another leading light familiar to Cleveland sports fans is in the house for Game 4.

LeBron James, along with his agent Rich Paul, made their way to Game 4 in Cleveland and were spotted sitting courtside.

This will no doubt set off speculation and rumors about why James is on hand for this contest.

Is he considering leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to go back to the Cavs? Or is he possibly trying to recruit Mitchell and getting him to force a trade in order to join him on the Lakers for next season?

Is star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum starting to find his postseason rhythm?

The St. Louis native has not been the best player on his ball club so far in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Is star Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum starting to find his postseason rhythm? The St. Louis native has not been the best player on his ball club so far in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, leading to a lot of chatter about where he really belongs in the hierarchy of the league.

But in Game 3 of the Celtics’ 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tatum appeared to find his footing, having his best tilt yet of the playoffs. Is this a trend with the Duke alum emerging from a slump, or could there be other things going on? The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, debated this question on a recent episode. 

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear where they came down with their answers.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Are the Boston Celtics playing veteran center Al Horford too many minutes?

The Florida alum has been the primary answer for Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in the absence of star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis.

Are the Boston Celtics playing veteran center Al Horford too many minutes? The Florida alum has been the primary answer for Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in the absence of star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis (who is working his way back from a strained right soleus sustained in the first round series vs. the Miami Heat).

Do the Celtics need to lean into reserve bigs Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, Sr., Oshae Brissett, Neemias Queta, and even Jayson Tatum at the 5? The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look on the most recent episode of their podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Why the Boston Celtics can’t play Al Horford too many minutes

Is Mazzulla leaning on Horford too much to fill in for KP?

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been playing veteran big man Al Horford a lot of minutes in the wake of starting Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis’ right soleus strain, and it is getting some fans of the team worried.

Is Mazzulla leaning on Horford too much to fill in for KP? The concern is that the Florida alum might not have legs in future rounds of the postseason, looking back on past series where his tired body couldn’t hit from deep as Boston needed him to. The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Beat” podcast, Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti, linked up with guest Dan Greenberg to talk it over on a recent podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jrue Holiday reveals Celtics’ slight change in game plan vs. Donovan Mitchell

Jrue Holiday entered the Boston Celtics game three contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a plan to slow down Donovan Mitchell.

Donovan Mitchell has been a tough cover for the Boston Celtics during their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The All-Star guard’s ability to score off the dribble and off the catch has made him a difficult cover for the Celtics defense, especially when he’s coming over a screen in the pick-and-roll.

When speaking to the media following Boston’s 106-93 win on Saturday (May 11), Jrue Holiday revealed that he entered that contest with a new game plan to try to wear Mitchell down. That change allowed Holiday to enjoy his best offensive game of the postseason so far.

“I just thought about being aggressive,” Holiday said via MassLive’s Brian Robb. “We know Donovan’s going to be aggressive on one side of the ball but we can make him run on the other side if he’s guarding me. There’s a lot of times where I might defer or do something (else) and I just thought maybe attacking him might get him even more exhausted by the third or fourth quarter.”

Mitchell’s impact on offense had significantly waned by the fourth quarter. He shot 1-of-4 from the field and ended his 10-minute stretch with three points to his name.

Cleveland will undoubtedly look for ways to counter Holiday’s new plan for slowing down their star player.

However, if Boston can keep making him work on the defensive end, they may have found a way to keep the Cavaliers’ best offensive threat subdued late in games, which would be a major boost to the Celtics’ chances of closing out the series in quick fashion.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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