Boston

Celtics Fall to Cavs by 44 Points

The Cavs pummeled the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals Friday night, defeating them 130-84 in Boston and remaining undefeated through the playoffs.

The No. 1 seed home team was thoroughly overmatched for the entirety of the game, trailing by an astounding 41 points at halftime. They were behind by as many as 51 in the fourth quarter.

Sliding further back in the series, the Celtics travel to Cleveland in a hole that seems much larger than two games.

Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, whose 2 points came at the free throw line, shot 0-6 before exiting the game with a right hip strain, as the team announced during the third quarter.

"He's had a nagging hip injury," head coach Brad Stevens said after the game, explaining that Thomas aggravated that injury against Washington.

Stevens said Thomas would be reevaluated before Sunday's game.

"He was pretty despondent not being able to play," Stevens said. "For him to have to sit was hard." 

Cleveland's big 3 went to town, combining for 74 points – more than the Celtics' entire team scored until more than seven minutes had passed in the fourth quarter. By that point, the Cavs starters were already out of the game. LeBron James scored 30 points to go along with seven assists and four rebounds. Kevin Love followed up his highest-scoring playoff game with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added another 23 points.

"Tonight was just real rough ... it's definitely a low point for our group," Al Horford said after the game. "The only thing that encourages me is that our guys, they're all staying together."

Rookie Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 19 points, 13 of which came within the last 12 minutes and 21 seconds of the game. An encouraging note is that although he had five fouls by halftime, he managed to remain in the game until the end.

The Celtics face a daunting battle with Games 3 and 4 played in "King" James' court.

Contact Us