Boston Celtics’ 11-Game Winning Streak Snapped by Cleveland Cavaliers in Fourth-Quarter Collapse
The Boston Celtics’ impressive winning streak came to a halt on Tuesday night as they suffered a fourth-quarter collapse against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics, who had been dominating the NBA with an 11-game winning streak, blew a 22-point lead in the final quarter, ultimately losing to the Cavaliers by a score of 105-104. The game took place on “Kelce Night” at the arena, with Cleveland’s backup forward, Dean Wade, stealing the show.
Wade, who came off the bench for the Cavaliers, had a career-high 23 points, with 20 of those coming in the fourth quarter. His game-winning dunk off a missed shot by Darius Garland with just 19.1 seconds left sealed the victory for Cleveland. The Celtics had a chance to win the game in the final seconds when Jayson Tatum drew a foul, but the call was overturned after video replay showed that Tatum had initiated the contact by kicking out his leg. The ball was then moved to center court for a jump ball, and the Celtics failed to get a shot off before time expired.
Referee Zach Zarba explained the decision, stating, “It’s our opinion that the leg extension by Tatum created the marginal contact and Garland did not make any illegal contact at all.” Tatum led the Celtics with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Kristaps Porziņģis added 24 points and nine rebounds, and Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points.
The Celtics had been on a dominant run prior to this loss, winning their last six games by an average margin of victory of 29.8 points. However, their execution and defensive rebounding faltered in the fourth quarter against the Cavaliers, leading to their downfall. Brown acknowledged the team’s mistakes, saying, “That’s what happens when you don’t match the gas and take little things for granted throughout the game and let a team stick around.”
For the Cavaliers, it was a night of hometown magic and an incredible comeback. They pulled off the largest fourth-quarter comeback in team history, erasing a 22-point deficit. This victory also tied the largest fourth-quarter rally by any team this season. Wade’s performance in the final quarter was instrumental in the Cavaliers’ win, as he shot a perfect 7 of 7 from the field, including six 3-pointers. Wade, a native of Kansas and a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan, had an unforgettable night with Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, who were in attendance.
Wade described his experience, saying, “The rim looked like a swimming pool” in the fourth quarter. He played a crucial role in turning the game around for the Cavaliers, going on a 9-0 run that brought them back into contention. Jarrett Allen also had a strong performance for Cleveland, contributing 21 points and 12 rebounds.
While the loss does little to affect the Celtics’ position at the top of the NBA standings, it serves as an important lesson for a team that rarely faces defeat. Brown emphasized the significance of analyzing the game and learning from their mistakes, stating, “Whether everybody wants to throw it away or not, we gotta look at the film and address some stuff because that matters.”
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, continue to make strides in the Eastern Conference. They are now just half a game out of second place. Despite dealing with injuries to key players like Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, who left Tuesday night’s game with a sprained ankle, the Cavaliers have shown resilience and determination.
Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff expressed optimism about Mitchell’s return, stating, “I do not expect this to be a long break.” The Cavaliers have experienced both highs and lows recently, but Tuesday’s victory against the Celtics showcased their ability to overcome adversity.
In the end, the Celtics’ winning streak may have come to an end, but it serves as a reminder that no team is invincible. The NBA is full of surprises, and the Cavaliers’ stunning comeback against the Celtics is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the game. As the season progresses, both teams will continue to face challenges and strive for success in their respective conferences.