The Boston Celtics closed their homestand with a 3-2 record by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 111-101, behind 34 points from Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum added 19. The Celtics are once again a .500 team at 16-16 while the Cavs had a six-game winning streak broken.
Rob Williams, returning from his one-game absence, was everywhere with 21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Darius Garland led the Cavs with 28 points.
Both teams were shorthanded due to Covid-19 protocols. Like the Sixers game, the Celtics were without seven “health and safety” players, including Al Horford, Josh Richardson and Grant Williams.