Boston, Dec. 23 (BUS): Jaylen Brown scored 34 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland 111-101 on Wednesday evening to end the Cavaliers’ winning streak with six points.
Robert Williams III added 21 points along with 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Jason Tatum scored 18 points.
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 28 points, Kevin Love scored 18 points, and the Cavaliers missed freshmen Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley, Garrett Allen and five other players in the NBA’s HSE protocol.
The Boston short-hands team also signed 40-year-old Joe Johnson to a 10-day contract on Wednesday. “We want Joe!” the crowd chanted. “We want Joe!” He chanted loudly as he came off the bench and entered the match. He got a standing ovation when he hit the lead in the last minute.
With a 23-point drop, the Cavaliers cut the score to 10 at 85-75 on Garland’s basket — the first of the last quarter — but Williams had a roaring steal and breakup that sparked the crowd and started an 8-0 spree.
Hint
Cavaliers: Lamar Stevens, Dylan Wendler, Denzel Valentine, RJ Nymbard and Ed Davis are also on the protocol. … they lost nine of their first 10 3-point attempts. …they signed striker Trey Scott of G League Cleveland Charge to a 10-day contract by excluding NBA hardship. …Garland and Osman whistled for technology.
Celtics: Williams is back in the starting line-up after missing the last game for personal reasons. …coach Im Odoka said the team is still in a “wait mode with two negative tests” on the seven players on the COVID protocol, which includes starting center Al Horford and striker Grant Williams, who plays for long minutes.
Still trending
The seven-foot-6 Tacko Fall, who has seen limited activity in the past two seasons with Boston but has been a fan favorite, made his NBA debut due to Cleveland’s limited roster. He got a standing ovation when he was introduced, and there was a splash of cheer when he did something positive during the match.
next one
Cavaliers: Hosts Toronto on Sunday night.
Celtics: In Milwaukee on Saturday.