Loading...
The two best teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference square off on national television as the Boston Celtics (35-15) visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9) for a heavyweight bout at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the trade deadline looming on Thursday, blockbuster deals are shaking up the Western Conference, but these two Eastern powerhouses have yet to make a move. Instead, they battle for positioning in a game that could preview a potential Eastern Conference Finals showdown.
Cleveland boasts the NBA’s best home record at 24-3, while Boston holds the league’s best road record at 19-6. With the season series tied 1-1, this primetime battle could go a long way in establishing momentum between these two contenders.
The Celtics enter this matchup riding a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 118-110 on Sunday night. Jayson Tatum continued his dominance with 35 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds, draining 5 three-pointers in the process. Jaylen Brown added 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Derrick White chipped in 9 assists.
Although Boston secured a tough road win, they had to exert maximum effort. Tatum and Brown both played 42+ minutes, and all five starters logged at least 31 minutes. That could be a factor on Tuesday, as the Celtics will face a well-rested Cavaliers team that cruised to an easy victory over Dallas.
Boston’s offensive identity remains rooted in three-point shooting. The Celtics lead the NBA in three-point frequency and are third in offensive rating. However, their slower pace (25th in the NBA) contrasts with Cleveland’s up-tempo style, which could make for an interesting stylistic battle.
Cleveland enters this game with a four-game winning streak after annihilating the short-handed Mavericks 144-101 on Sunday. The Cavaliers took full advantage of Dallas’ depleted roster, allowing no starter to play more than 25 minutes. That built-in rest advantage could be crucial against a Celtics team that just played heavy minutes in a road win.
Donovan Mitchell remains the engine of Cleveland’s offense, averaging 26.7 points per game over his last 10 contests. He and Darius Garland form an elite offensive backcourt duo, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen provide one of the best defensive and rebounding frontcourt tandems in the NBA.
While the Cavs rank eighth in defensive rating, their size and rim protection present a unique challenge for Boston’s offense. They’ve also been nearly unbeatable at home, with their 24-3 record in Cleveland leading the NBA.
This season series has already provided two wire-to-wire matchups. Boston won the first meeting on November 19, 120-117, behind Tatum’s 33-point, 12-rebound, 7-assist performance. The Celtics torched Cleveland from beyond the arc, shooting 22-of-41 (53.7%) from deep. Despite the loss, Mitchell led the way with 35 points, and Evan Mobley had a strong all-around performance with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
Cleveland evened the series in the December 1 rematch with a 115-111 victory. Again, it was a battle between Tatum and Mitchell, with both scoring 33+ points. This time, Garland stepped up with 22 points, while Boston felt the absence of Jaylen Brown. Payton Pritchard was a major bright spot for the Celtics, posting 24 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench.
Tuesday’s game figures to be another tight battle. The Cavaliers hold a significant rest advantage, which could play a key role given Boston’s road travel. The Celtics’ three-point shooting gives them an always-dangerous upside, but Cleveland’s ability to control the paint and dictate tempo could tilt the scales in their favor.
If Payton Pritchard is active, we’re backing him to step up once again against the Cavaliers. He scored 24 points in Cleveland in their last meeting and could see an expanded role given the heavy minutes Boston’s starters just played. The Cavaliers’ backcourt defense isn’t a strength, and if Pritchard gets extended first-half minutes against the Cavs’ second unit, he could exploit even better matchups.
Pritchard averages 13.8 points per game in just under 30 minutes of action. With the potential for a bigger workload due to Boston’s recent schedule, he’s in a great position to go over his average.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.