Sizzling Celtics Secure Consecutive Wins Against Cavaliers

"The Celtics have a tough game at the home of the Celtics, and they have started well. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32), defending in an NBA basketball game in Boston on Thursday, December 14, 2023, is seen shooting during the first half against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7).

The Celtics started a challenging week with a decisive second victory, sweeping the Cavaliers 116-107 in their mini two-game series.

Here's the takeaway:

The Celtics had a hot start last year too, but it has gained more traction. After a loss in the in-season tournament, they have won three consecutive games. Both their top players show top-shelf talent. The bench has shaped up nicely. They have the second-best net rating in the NBA and a 1.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference standings at 18-5.

The Celtics had a turbulent season last year, and much can change quickly, but they look better this season—balanced, cohesive, and experienced.

"I've emphasized that we shouldn't take any steps back this year," said Jaylen Brown after Thursday's game. "Success is earned every day, so that means being conscientious about every shot-around, every film session, every time we're together, being aware of what's happening, and being aware of the overall mission."

"I think our mindset has been much better this season compared to last time, and sometimes the season can be enlightening. To go through things at a fast pace, to go through something more intense. I want to make sure that we stick together as much as possible."

In the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum had only 15 points, but he scored 12 in the last 12 minutes and grabbed six of his 11 rebounds. He started the quarter with a two and three, then threw down a pair of dunks to seal the game in the final two minutes.

"I just try to find moments, find opportunities to be aggressive, and I try to take my shots as much as possible," Tatum said.

The Celtics are now 12-0, their best start at TD Garden since the 2007-08 season.

Coach Ime Udoka mentioned that home court isn't everything. "You have to think, two years we made it to the finals without home-court advantage. Last year, we didn't make it," he said.

However, Tatum says that the Celtics have lost some disappointing games at home in recent years that they want to change. "I'm just trying to go back to my first few years when we were just electric at home, and we still are," he said. "Tomorrow is a good test for us."

Jaylen Brown finished with 22 points, and he outplayed Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen in the post.

"The post-game is something that allows me to be myself," Brown said. "I love playing in the post. It's an aspect of my game that I haven't highlighted in years because it's gotten away from analysis. But we've emphasized it again this year, and you'll see me try to take advantage of those matchups even more."

The Celtics are crushing opponents in the post: according to the NBA's stat site, Tatum is scoring 1.30 points per possession on post-ups (95th percentile), and Brown is clocking in at a respectable 1.07 points per possession (67th percentile). The analysis doesn't shy away from the post and remains beneficial for the Celtics."

"Despite Majulla's protest, the statistics of assistance seem to be misleading. We must remember that in the last two games of Brown Celtics, he has set records in each with four assists, surpassing five records among them.

In Lamar Stevens' 8:32, Luke Cornett suffered a sideline due to an adductor injury. When Cavaliers Center Jarrett Allen blocked Majulla during a game, Stevens recorded four points and a rebound, leaving Majulla impressed.

"[Bench] Boys probably have the toughest job in the league," Majulla said. "They never know when they'll get in. The four or five of us have done a fantastic job, working every day and playing every day, so when their time comes, I trust them, and they each get an opportunity. To do this and bring a different dynamic to the game. Tonight, we went with Lamar, and I thought he did a good job."

Stevens' versatility was probably one of the primary reasons he was surrounded by Celtics after the training camp - he can play both forward and center with skill, a rare find on the bench that often finds a player who can back up from the last seat on the bench. Often find a player who can back up from the last seat on the bench.

Stevens said, "This has been my role since I came to the league, just being able to defend multiple positions." “When I was with the Cavs, I played a lot against Jarrett. So it was nothing new to me.

A little pill-popping on the fourth wall: Sam Hauser seems to have shot a percentage point better than the last 10-ish games. So we went to the NBA statistics site to find his numbers and prove our point... Only to find out that Hauser has shot 43.5% from the field in his last 10 games, which is slightly behind his season average of 44.4%.

Hauser is shooting a percentage point better because he generally anchors a percentage point. He ended Wednesday with 3-for-3 for 3 points, ending 3-for-3 from the last three of 3 Thursday.

Tatum has set three block records, including a big one against Darius Garland.

Meanwhile, Brown is already looking for two steals.

When asked if he believes he and Brown are on the path to All-Defense this year, Tatum said he has "no idea." He highlighted why the Celtics have the fourth-best defense in the NBA. "You just try to do your job every day, take pride in our team's best defenders, we don't hate, we don't show. We switch," Tatum said. “We're proud to guard whoever needs to be guarded, and it's big for our team, there's no weak link in defense. We all cover each other, and we all help each other.”

Jrue Holiday was asked after the game if he had seen the genius exchange between Pacers and Giannis after Wednesday's Bucks win.

Holiday - who was instrumental in helping Antetokounmpo win the championship and beat the box - told reporters what happened and claimed he had no knowledge of the situation, which seems somewhat unlikely.

Even so, his explanation was contextual.

"I have a child, guys," Holiday said (he's the father of two)."

On Friday, the Celtics will battle the Magic. After the threat of becoming good full-stop this season, the Magic are now here - 16-7 and third in the Eastern Conference, with a +5.9 fifth-best point differential in the NBA. They'll also rest well: their last game on Monday was against the Cavaliers (a bit of a mockery).

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