Dennis Schröder has lost a thriller with the Cleveland Cavaliers with the Boston Celtics. In the 89: 91 defeat, the German international is again the top scorer, but cannot prevent the Cavs from making a furious comeback.
Cleveland Cavaliers (9-5) – Boston Celtics (6-7) 91:89 (BOXSCORE)
With 28 points (10/19 FG, 2/4 threesomes, 6/6 FT), 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Schröder was the best scorer of the Celtics, just like the night before against Milwaukee. The 28-year-old even got the ball again in the last attack by the guests, but his heavy fadeaway jumper over Cedi Osman’s outstretched arms for possible extension only slapped the ring.
Instead, the Cavaliers made a comeback after they had just scored 9 points in the first quarter and were 56:74 behind with two minutes in the third section. Outstanding at the 35:15 run in the last 14 minutes was rookie Evan Mobley (19, 8/13 FG, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks), who was everywhere and spent most of the time on center.
For the decisive points, however, Darius Garland, who, like in Toronto a few days ago, had brought Cleveland the profitable points from the free throw line. The point guard pulled the foul on a determined drive against Marcus Smart 10 seconds before the end and converted both free throws ice cold. With 22 points (7/15 FG) and 6 assists, Garland was also the hosts’ busiest point collector.
At the beginning, however, nothing went for the Cavs, who could only score three field goals in 20 attempts in the first twelve minutes. Only then did the Cavs catch up thanks to Garland, but Schröder was just as hot and ensured with a few jumpers and a total of 17 points in the quarter that Boston went into the break with a 52:38 lead.
Boston Celtics break in after the break
After the change, however, the Celtics offense stalled more and more, and Jayson Tatum (21, 8/22 FG, 6 TO) also had difficulties finding a rhythm. With Al Horford (back), Josh Richardson (knee) and Jaylen Brown (thigh) three important rotation players were missing, so the bench production was a big problem (15:32 in favor of the Cavs).
For Cleveland, Ricky Rubio (16, 4/17 FG, 7 assists) didn’t hit much, but brought structure and was on the field for the entire final section. In this Mobley marked 12 points, colleague Jarrett Allen (11, 8 rebounds) got the first lead since the opening minutes with an Alley Oop 35 seconds before the end. Tatum equalized after a nice move from middle distance before Garland could score the crucial points from the free throw line.
The Celtics allowed themselves a total of 20 ball losses, seven of them in the fourth quarter. Just six converted threes (out of 23 attempts) were also lean. In the zone, on the other hand, Robert Williams (12, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks) made a good match. The bankruptcy leaves the Celtics in tenth place in the east with a balance of 6-7, while Cleveland is still surprisingly fourth. On Tuesday night there is already the rematch between the two teams.
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