NBA ---- Celtics D swarm Cavs in Game 1
By Oliver Iglesias
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 15 May 2018
BOSTON ? Marcus Morris put up a gem of a defense in containing All-Star LeBron James while also registering 21 points and 10 boards as the Celtics dominated Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83 for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night at the TD Garden.
Jaylen Brown contributed 23 points on 3-for-5 treys while Al Horford scored 20 on an impressive 8-for-10 field goal shooting. Rookie Jayson Tatum also finished in double figures with 16 points and 3 assists.
Boston went aggressive from the opening tip, building a 36-18 bubble in the 1st quarter before erecting a 61-35 halftime lead.
With 0.02 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Cleveland?s Jeff Green made a 21-foot fadeaway shot to cut the deficit to 14, 78-64. That was the closest the Cavs could get as Tatum, Morris and Rozier offensively carried the Celtics juggernaut in the final quarter in which the lead went to as high as 29 with 5:19 remaining.
At the post-game press conference, Marcus Morris was asked what motivated him tremendously to defend James who came up with only 15 points on 5-for-16 shooting. ?I just wanted to compete. Someday, I will tell my kids I competed with LeBron and that means a lot,? he replied.
Center Kevin Love topscored for the Cavs with 17 points while Rodney Hood added 11.
Boston went 43-for-84 for a 51.2% clip while Cleveland had 31-for-86 for 36% field goal conversion.
Game 2 will be Tuesday, May 15, at the TD Garden.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Oliver Iglesias.
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