The Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic 15-game winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night as the Boston Celtics secured a 120-117 victory.
Jayson Tatum delivered a standout performance with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, leading Boston to its 12th win of the season.
The Cavaliers fought back from a 21-point deficit to make it a close game in the final quarter. Donovan Mitchell’s 35-point effort kept Cleveland within striking distance, including a crucial three-pointer with 24 seconds left.
However, the Celtics maintained their composure, sealing the game with an Al Horford dunk in the final moments.
Boston capitalized on its three-point shooting, hitting 22 triples, including six from Tatum. The Celtics built a commanding 65-48 halftime lead after a dominant second quarter, which proved to be the difference in the tightly contested matchup.
Mitchell’s heroics were not enough to overcome Cleveland’s shooting struggles. The Cavaliers shot just 34.5% from beyond the arc, with Darius Garland managing only eight points on 3-for-21 shooting. Evan Mobley added 22 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Cleveland’s 15-game winning streak was the longest in franchise history and marked them as one of only four teams in NBA history to open a season with 15 consecutive victories.
Boston improved its record to 12-3 and demonstrated why it remains a championship favorite. Tatum’s two-way dominance and the Celtics’ depth were on full display, with contributions from Al Horford, who added 20 points, and Derrick White, who chipped in 19.
The Cavaliers’ bench provided a spark, with Craig Porter Jr. scoring 15 points and Georges Niang adding 11. Despite the reserves’ efforts, Cleveland’s starters struggled to match Boston’s efficiency.
