Cavs vs Celtics: Cavaliers fall in Game 3 and trail 2-1 in Eastern Conference semifinals
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers continued to ride the NBA roller coaster Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics.
After prevailing by 24 points Thursday on the road, the fourth-seeded Cavs came crashing back down to earth and fell 106-93 to the top-seeded Celtics in Game 3 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Now the inconsistent Cavs trail 2-1 in their best-of-seven, second-round NBA playoff series. Game 4 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in Cleveland.
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 33 points on 12-of-22 shooting (54.5%) from the field (7 of 12 on 3-pointers). Center Evan Mobley added 17 points and eight rebounds.
However, the Cavs didn't receive the collective offensive production they needed to keep up with the Celtics.
All-Star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 33 and 28 points, respectively, pacing the heavily favored Celtics, who rolled to a 120-95 home win in Game 1 before losing 118-94 in Game 2 at TD Garden. Point guard Jrue Holiday added 18 points for Boston.
As a team, the Cavs shot 36 of 84 (42.9%) from the field (12 of 36 on 3-pointers). The Celtics shot 41 of 80 (51.3%) from the floor (13 of 34 on 3-pointers).
Cavs came out of halftime in a major funk and Evan Mobley aggravated his sprained ankle
The Cavs trailed the Celtics 57-48 at halftime and then allowed a 14-0 Boston run to start the second half. Cleveland fell behind 71-48 with 9:06 left in the third quarter.
Adding injury to insult, Mobley experienced an awkward landing while pursuing a rebound and appeared to aggravate a sprained ankle he has been pushing through with about 9:22 left in the third quarter. Mobley began limping and checked out of the game with 8:49 left in the third quarter.
The Cavs cut their 23-point deficit to 12 later in the third quarter, and Mobley returned to the game with 2:26 left in the third. Cleveland faced an 84-69 deficit entering the fourth, but point guard Darius Garland made a layup and Mobley added a dunk and a putback to begin the final quarter with a 6-0 Cleveland run. The Cavs repeatedly trimmed the Celtics' lead to nine points in the fourth but never got closer to completing a comeback.
More on Game 3 between Cavs and Celtics: Boston regains control of Eastern Conference semifinals
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen remains out with injury, but Dean Wade returns
For the sixth consecutive playoff game, the Cavs were without starting center Jarrett Allen (rib contusion). The injury has forced Mobley to move from his usual power forward position to center and the Cavs to use a smaller lineup more often.
The Cavs received some good news on the injury front, though. Backup power forward Dean Wade returned from a sprained knee and played for the first time since March 8. He contributed five points, three assists, three rebounds and a blocked shot in 17 minutes. With Wade back after a 28-game hiatus, reserve power forward Georges Niang did not play.
The Celtics outrebounded the Cavs 44-35.
More Cleveland Cavs coverage: The Cavaliers have been at their best with their backs against the wall
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Celtics, Boston wins Game 3 led by Jayson Tatum
