NBA News Wire
Celtics 111, Cavaliers 99
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
CLEVELAND — Center Kelly Olynyk and guard Avery Bradley each scored 25 points in the Boston Celtics’ 111-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Olynyk, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 draft from Gonzaga, matched his career high. The 7-footer added a career-high 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who came into the game having lost 14 of their last 16 games.
Boston (25-55) also got 19 points apiece from forward forwards Jeff Green and Brandon Bass.
Guards Dion Waiters, Kyrie Irving and Jarrett Jack all had 15 points for the Cavs (32-49). Forward Tristan Thompson added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics opened a 33-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Cavs rallied. They outscored the Celtics 41-22 in the fourth.
Boston stormed to a 31-point advantage at 89-58 after three quarters.
Olynyk was particularly lethal with 20 points and eight assists in the first half to help the Celtics open a 60-42 lead.
Bradley added 15 points and six rebounds in the first half.
The Cavs looked listless in the first half, shooting 33 percent from the field.
Irving had 13 points for the Cavs at halftime.
Boston took control in the first quarter when it jumped out to a 28-18 advantage. Green had eight points and four rebounds in the opening quarter.
Thompson had four points and three rebounds for the Cavs in the first quarter.
NOTES: The Cavaliers played without F Luol Deng for the second consecutive game. He has a sore back. “He’s been banged up most of the year,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. The coach said he’s not sure whether Deng will play in the season finale on Wednesday. … Celtics C Jared Sullinger was held out of Saturday’s game with a sprained left ankle. He was replaced by rookie Kelly Olynyk, who was making his seventh start of the season. … All-Star G Rajon Rondo was held out with a strained left shin. He was replaced by rookie Phil Pressey, who dished out 13 assists Friday against Charlotte. … Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving’s summer could extend until mid-September if he makes the World Cup team. “The big word there is ‘if’ I make the team,” he said. … Even though the Celtics had just eight players available Saturday, that should not matter. “Our focus will remain the same,” Irving said.
