Cleveland Cavs Snap Celtics Winning Run at 11; Suns Stymie Denver Bid to Rejoin Jam on Top of West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Mar 2024
Boston's winning streak has come to a halt at eleven as the Cleveland Cavaliers nipped the Celtics; 105-104 at their homecourt, keeping alive their own hope for a top two finish in the East.
Meanwhile the Phoenix Suns frustrated the Denver Nuggets bid to rejoin the logjam for Western Conference leadership with a 117-107 overtime victory despite missing ace scorer Devin Booker.
The Boston-Cleveland game was tightly fought with the Celtics holding the lead throughout the first three quarters even at one point enjoying a 22 point lead. But the Cavs won the last twelve minutes 34-17 to eke out the victory.
Starters center Jarret Allen (22), guard Darius Garland (16) and forward Isaac Okoro (16) held the fort for the Cavs and Caris Levert (10) and Dean Wade came off the bench to contribute to the home team's cause with Wade even top scoring for the Cavs with 23 points plus 8 boards in just 21 minutes of action. Wade scored the winning basket on a follow up of Georges Niang's missed shot. Five Cavs were in double figures.
Jason Tatum (26) and Jaylen Brown (21) as usual delivered for Boston together with center Kristap Porzinghis (24) but only four Celts were in double figures including Jrue Holiday with 10. It was undead a frustrating loss for the redhot Celtics who just ran out of time in the bid to turn the game around to its favor.
The Cavs shot better from the field including the three point area.
With the win, the Cavs improved to 40-21 just a game behind the second running Milwaukee Bucks (41-21). Boston is still far ahead of the field at 48-13.
Without Devin Booker, the Suns went to Kevin Durant who responded with 35 points. He was ably supported by Grayson Allen (28) and Bradley Beal (16). Drew Eubanks contributed 10 points.
Nikola Jokic (25), Jamal Murray (28) and Michael Porter Jnr (20) as usual delivered for the Nuggets but they were just about the players who could consistently score for Denver outside of K Caldwell Pope (10). Aaron Gordon was limited to just 7 points.
The game ended at 102-all in the regulation. The Suns outscored the Nuggets 15-5 in the extra period.
The loss dropped the Nuggets (42-20) to third in the West behind Minnesota Timberwolves (43-19) and OKC Thunder (42-19). A win could have put Denver in tie for the first place in the West.
Photo: Dean Wade scores the winning basket for the Cavaliers over the Celtics.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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