In a clash of the top two teams in the NBA's Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics began as if they would blow the Cleveland Cavaliers out of TD Garden on Friday night. Yet the Cavs demonstrated why they have the league's best record with a second-half surge that resulted in a stunning comeback and 123-116 victory.
Boston scored the first 11 points of the game and ran out to a 25-3 lead with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. Jayson Tatum had 30 points by halftime, with Jaylen Brown adding 19.