The Celtics held the Cavaliers to 42.2% from the field in the second half of their Game 4 win, including limiting Cleveland to 4/23 (17.4%) shooting from beyond the arc. Boston locking in defensively propelled them to a commanding 3-1 series lead.
against the Cavaliers, Boston struggled to adapt to a Cleveland team that looked much different without Donovan Mitchell carrying the offense.
But to Boston's credit, the visitors were more engaged, their on-ball pressure was better, as was their perimeter defense, and they were more connected.The Celtics shackled Cleveland's offense in the third quarter, limiting them to 21 points, then held the hosts to 24 in the final frame. "Obviously, Strus can shoot, but him and Garland and all these guys -- we want them to play in the paint and try to make tough twos and get a rebound out of it."
From that moment on, plays like Holiday funneling Garland into Derrick White, among a crowd of green jerseys, and Holiday flying out to contest a Max Strus three, the hosts only mustered two points until there were 31 seconds left, and the outcome was already decided. As for Jayson Tatum's view of the key to the Celtics passing their first crunch-time test this postseason: "Defense, defensive end," conveyed the five-time All-Star.
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