Jayson Tatum led the charge with 33 points, while Jaylen Brown contributed 28 as the Boston Celtics regained their form, securing a 106-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 to claim a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Following a stumble at home that saw them drop Game 2 by 24 points, the top-seeded Celtics displayed resilience and determination on the road.
The team's lackluster performance in Game 2, where they were heavily favored, echoed their first-round experience against Miami, where they also lost Game 2 before rallying to win three consecutive games and advance.
"We were determined to bounce back," remarked Tatum, who also grabbed 13 rebounds. "The loss at home was disappointing, so coming into a hostile environment on the road, it was a good opportunity for us to show our character and respond."
Tatum scored on a three-point play and the Celtics opened the second half with 14 straight points to take a 23-point lead.
That was way too much for the Cavs, who overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun Boston in March.
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for Cleveland, but the All-Star guard aggravated a left knee injury in the fourth quarter and was labored. With Boston up 13 and in control, Mitchell left the court with 1:19 left and walked directly to the locker room.
In the fourth quarter, Cleveland narrowed the gap to within nine on three occasions, putting pressure on the Celtics. Despite Boston's struggles from beyond the arc in Game 2, they found their rhythm when it mattered most, with Payton Pritchard and Derrick White sinking consecutive 3-pointers to thwart the Cavaliers' resurgence.
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Cleveland.
Despite trailing by 23 and struggling to contain Tatum's dominance, the Cavs fought back valiantly. They trimmed Boston's lead to 15 by the close of the third quarter, igniting their home crowd into a frenzy by opening the final quarter with six unanswered points.
However, whenever the Celtics faced a critical juncture, they turned to their go-to scorers in Tatum and Brown. These stars dismantled Cleveland's defense, either driving to the basket for layups or converting difficult contested jump shots.
In addition to Tatum and Brown's contributions, Evan Mobley chipped in 17 points, while Darius Garland and Caris LeVert each added 15 for the Cavaliers, who suffered their first home defeat of the playoffs.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland's starting center, remained sidelined for the sixth consecutive game due to a rib injury sustained since the opening round against Orlando. His absence continues to cast uncertainty on his return timeline.
Despite an impressive performance from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 23 points on six 3-pointers in the first half, Cleveland lacked sufficient support from both starters and bench players. This allowed the Celtics to establish a 57-48 halftime advantage.
After their shocking loss at home in Game 2, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla's directive for Game 3 was straightforward: "Do what you do best, and do it better." Although Boston initially struggled, they eventually found their rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc.
Cleveland received a boost from forward Dean Wade, who made his postseason debut after a two-month absence due to a knee injury. Wade, who notably scored 23 points against Boston in March, including a crucial 3-pointer, made an immediate impact upon his return.
Meanwhile, Boston's Kristaps Porzingis remained sidelined for the fourth consecutive game due to a calf strain.
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