Celtics Stumble at TD Garden, Fall to Cavaliers in Game 2

The Boston Celtics faced a surprising 120-95 defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, marking another setback for the team on home turf. A major factor in the loss was their dismal performance from beyond the arc, with only 8-of-35 three-point attempts finding the mark, resulting in a woeful 22.9% conversion rate.

With their three-point shooting faltering, the Celtics should have shifted focus to attacking the paint. However, Kristaps Porziņģis’ absence due to a soleus strain sustained in the previous round severely hampered their interior presence.

Porziņģis has missed the Celtics’ last three games, including Game 2 against the Cavaliers, and remains sidelined for Game 3 as per the latest NBA injury report.

The burden now falls on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White to step up and regain control of the series. Should the Celtics return from Cleveland without a win, they will face the daunting task of needing three consecutive victories to avoid playoff elimination.

Tatum Challenges ‘Super Team’ Label

Despite the setback, the Celtics are still considered strong contenders to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, given their formidable roster depth and quality. Tatum, however, rejected the notion of being labeled a “super team,” citing the team’s lack of individual awards recognition.

Tatum emphasized that despite their regular-season dominance with a league-best 64-18 record, the Celtics did not have the Coach of the Year or the MVP, and only boasted two All-Stars. He compared their situation to that of the 2019 Golden State Warriors, suggesting that accolades did not necessarily align with the perception of a “super team.”

Tatum’s comments reflect a sense of frustration within the team regarding recognition and the pressure of being considered favorites for the title. Nevertheless, the Celtics face a critical juncture in the series and must secure at least one victory in Cleveland to regain momentum heading into Game 5 at TD Garden.