Play-off favorite in the East, Boston lost Thursday in the second game of its Conference semi-final against Cleveland. At home, the Celtics were beaten 94-118 by the Cavaliers.
The great success acquired by Joe Mazzulla’s men during Game 1 (120-95) could have suggested that Cleveland was not going to make the grade in this series. But that was without counting on the precision of Donovan Mitchell behind the arc. The guard made four winning shots during the 3rd quarter which allowed the Cavs to take a decisive advantage.
Jaylen Brown (0/6) and Derrick White (1/8) showed a certain clumsiness in this exercise like all the Celtics (22.9% at three points, against 46.4% for Cleveland ). The series now moves to Ohio, where the Cavaliers will try to maintain the advantage of the floor now acquired.
Thunder’s first defeat
In the West, Oklahoma City’s winning streak ended Thursday. Beaten 110-119 by Dallas, who recovered to 1-1 in this Conference semi-final, the Thunder conceded a first defeat in these play-offs.
In front of his audience dressed in blue, Nikola Jokic’s runner-up in the MVP vote, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, struggled (33 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists) but could not prevent this first setback. Luka Doncic and PJ Washington, insolent three-point successes (63%) propelled the Mavs to deserved success, helped by the defense and the distribution of Kyrie Irving (11 assists).
ATS