The NBA’s perfect team met the reigning champions on Tuesday night.
Something had to give. It wasn’t the champions.
In the most anticipated matchup of the early NBA season, the Celtics halted Cleveland’s perfect 15-0 start in a 120-117 victory over the Cavaliers in Boston. Boston dominated the first half, then held off a second-half rally by the Knights to secure the win.
The Celtics opened a 65-48 first-half lead, choking Cleveland’s league-best offense and 3-point shooting while hitting 14 of 22 of his own shots from beyond the arc. Boston extended its lead to 79-58 early in the third quarter and appeared on its way to an upset.
But Cleveland responded with a 30-11 run sparked by Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley to cut the Celtics lead to 90-88 late in the third. Then Jayson Tatum finished the quarter with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to extend the Celtics lead back to five points.
Cleveland kept up the pressure throughout the fourth quarter and repeatedly cut the Boston lead to two points. But the Celtics answered each time and never allowed the Cavs to take the lead.
It was a strong showing and a statement from the Celtics that they remain the most prominent force in the league. The icing on the Celtic cake? The game was part of the NBA Cup and snapped an 0-2 start in group play after Boston lost its Cup opener to the Hawks last week.
For the Cavaliers, a historic streak is coming to an end. Cleveland’s 15-0 start is tied with the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Capitols for second best in NBA history. Golden State’s 24-0 start in 2015-16 sits comfortably as the all-time best start.
Now at 15-1, the Cavs can move on to the second phase of their season. The unexpected chase for history is no more, and the added pressure that comes with each game is lifted.
And there’s no shame in losing to the Celtics in Boston. They are not the first quality team to fall victim to a 3-point barrage by these Celtics on their home court.
The next test for the Cavs is how they respond to the reset. Their perfect start was supported by advanced analysis this suggests that the 15-0 record was no fluke and that this Cleveland team is a legitimate title contender.
But the championship road runs through Boston until another team proves otherwise. The Cavaliers have four games against the Pelicans, Raptors and Hawks before they get their next shot at the Celtics at home on December 1st.
