Cavaliers complete sweep over Celtics, 101-93

Share

BOSTON – It was a fitting end to what has been a season in which the Boston Celtics time and time again found a way to make a game far more competitive down the stretch than it was most of the game. 

The Celtics have won many of those games coming down the homestretch of this season. 

But Sunday’s Game 4 matchup would not be one of those games as the Celtics’ season is over following a 101-93 loss to the Cavaliers. 

As was the case when the Celtics had their season end in a playoff loss two years ago to the New York Knicks, players were serenaded with “Let’s go Cel-tics!!” chants as they made one last stroll through the tunnel leading to their locker room. 

Prior to that, Boston had a chance to make it a one-possession game after forcing a turnover on a Cleveland in-bounds pass. 

However, Gigi Datome's 3-pointer rimmed in and out and with it, ended Boston's hopes of extending their season for another day. 

For the Celtics, this was only the fourth time in franchise history they did not win a single game in the postseason, with the last time being in the first round of the 2004 playoffs to an Indiana team coached by former Celtic guard Rick Carlisle (now head coach of the Dallas Mavericks). 

The physicality in this series had been building from one game to the next, and appeared to reach its peak on Sunday. 

First there was ex-Celtic Kendrick Perkins landing a forearm to the head of Jae Crowder in the first quarter that sent Crowder to the ground. He quickly got up and the two players were separated before things escalated out of control. 

Upon further review, Perkins’ foul was upgraded to a flagrant-one penalty and both players were whistled for a technical foul. 

Prior to that, Cleveland’s Kevin Love was battling Kelly Olynyk for a rebound and it appeared his left arm came out of the socket briefly. He was unable to return and his status going forward remains uncertain.

Crowder was later hit in the face by J.R. Smith that sent him tumbling to the ground which led to a left injury for Crowder who was unable to return.

Smith was ejected for the play, the second time he has been ejected against the Celtics in a playoff game for hitting a player in their face. With the New York Knicks in 2013, he caught ex-Celtic Jason Terry in the face with an elbow and was suspended for the following game.

Although key players for both teams were missing down the stretch, the series’ two biggest stars – LeBron James and Kyrie Irving – continued to dominate the game when needed. 

Boston cut Cleveland’s lead down to just nine points in the third – it peaked at 21 – but could not inch any closer as the Cavs went into the fourth quarter ahead 70-61.

The effort was there in the fourth, but the Cavs were too strong and too consistent as the Celtics suffered yet another quick exit from the playoffs.

WHAT WORKED

Points in the paint

Boston had a lot of good action going to the basket which allowed them to generate offense near the rim. For the game, the Celtics had 48 points in the paint while the Cavs finished with 36. 

WHAT DIDN’T WORK

3-point shooting

As bad as Boston was from the free throw line, their 3-point shooting was even more horrendous. And while Cleveland’s defense certainly deserves some credit, far too many of Boston’s 3-point misses were open to lightly contested shots. For the game, Boston missed 20 of their 23 3s taken. 

KEY PLAYER/STRETCH

The Celtics had the ball and were trailing 99-93 when they called a play for a 3-pointer from Gigi Datome. His shot rimmed in and out before Cleveland grabbed the rebound. Kyrie Irving was immediately fouled, went to the line and made both free throws with 29.8 seconds to play. That would be the extent of Boston’s comeback attempt. 

WHAT’S NEXT

That’s it. The 2014-2015 season for the Boston Celtics is officially over.

Contact Us