Slow Start Leads Celtics to 117-104 Loss to Cleveland in Game 1
Thursday, May 18, 2017
The Celtics fell to the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers 117-104 on Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston. This is the Celtics first home playoff loss since game two of their first-round series against Chicago.
Boston missed 11 of their first 14 shots and were 2 of 16 from three in the half.
Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford combined for 12 points in the half allowing Cleveland to run away early.
The Celtics now trail the series 1-0.
Cleveland Dominates From Start
The Celtics trailed 8-7 following an Avery Bradley three with 8:33 left in the first quarter before the Cavaliers took control.
Cleveland would go on a 14-2 run capped off by a LeBron James layup with 4:16 to play in the quarter. James led Cleveland with 38 points in the game.
Later in the quarter, Boston would cut Cleveland's lead to seven, 24-17, following a layup by Jaylen Brown, but again Cleveland would retake control.
From that point, the Cavaliers would go on a 12-3 run extending into the second quarter to take a 36-20 lead following a Kevin Love layup.
The Cavaliers would take a 22 point lead, 61-39, into the half.
Cleveland would open up their largest lead, 28 points, 67-39, early in the third quarter before Boston would find some energy.
Celtics Find Energy
Boston found some energy following a nose-to-nose confrontation between Boston's Marcus Smart and Cleveland's Tristan Thompson, which resulted in both players getting fouls.
A short time later Smart would draw a foul on Thompson during a play under the Celtics basket in which Thompson knocked Smart to the floor while battling for a rebound.
The Celtics would close the third quarter on an 11-3 run to cut Cleveland's lead to 92-75, before the Cavaliers would extend the lead back to 20.
The Celtics would get as close as 11 points, 111-100, but that came with a minute to go.
Game 2 set for Friday, May 19 at TD Garden.
Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m.
Related Articles
- Thomas is a Game Time Decision as Celtics Open NBA Playoffs Against Chicago
- Celtics Blown Out by Cleveland 114-91, Fall Out of 1st Place
- Celtics Star Thomas’ Sister Killed in Car Accident in Tacoma, Washington
- Thomas Scores 33 Points But Celtics Lose Game 1 to Bulls 106-102
- Celtics Fall to Bulls 111-97 in Game 2, Trail Series 2-0
- Celtics Set to Face Cleveland in Battle for Eastern Conference’s Top Seed
- Celtics’ Crowder Has One of Most Team Friendly Contracts in NBA
- NEW: Celtics Select Ante Zizic With the 23rd Pick in the NBA Draft
- NEW: Boston Celtics Select Jaylen Brown With 3rd Pick in NBA Draft
- Celtics Add 6 Players in 2016 NBA Draft
- Celtics Sign Al Horford to 4-Year Deal
- Celtics Climb Back in Series With 104-87 Win Over Bulls in Game 3
- Green’s 18 Points Helps Celtics Hold Off Bulls 104-95, Tie Series at 2
- Celtics Give up 26 Straight Points En Route to 121-102 Game 4 Loss to Wizards
- Celtics Blown Out by Wizards 116-89 in Game 3
- Bradley’s 29 Points Leads Celtics to Blow Out Win in Game 5 Over Wizards
- Wall’s Three in Final Seconds Sinks Celtics 92-91 in Game 6, Game 7 Set for Monday
- Olynyk’s 26 Points Helps Celtics to 115-105 Game 7 Win Over Washington
- Brawl in Celtics Game
- Thomas’ 53 Points Leads Celtics to 129-119 Overtime Win Over Wizards in Game 2
- Bradley’s 24 Points Helps Celtics to 108-97 Game 5 Win Over Bulls
- Celtics Eliminate Bulls in Game 6 105-83, Advance to 2nd Round
- Celtics Open 2nd Round Series Against Washington on Sunday
- Celtics Knock Down 19 Threes En Route to 123-111 Game 1 Win Over Wizards
- Celtics Set to Open Eastern Conference Finals Against Cleveland Wednesday Night
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It