The Boston Celtics thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83 in the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics got off to a rapid start, opening a 21-point lead in the first quarter off the back of 17 straight points.
Jaylen Brown scored 23 points with eight rebounds across the night, while Marcus Morris added 21 points to the Celtics’ scoreboard.
? #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/DOYCrsqVXO
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 13, 2018
Jayson Tatum slices through the Cavaliers defense in tonight’s @JetBlue Play of the Game! pic.twitter.com/sUmfvzvEUN
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 13, 2018
It was a difficult night for LeBron James, who finished with 15 points for the Cavs before being pulled from the game in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland had attempted a fightback in the third, with six in a row before the end of the quarter to cut the deficit to 14 points, but Boston continued to dominate from the start of the fourth, making it 96-68 before James left the court.
Tough start to the series, but we’ll be back on Tuesday.#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/9rq96xClgY
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 13, 2018
The victory puts the Celtics on 8-0 at home in the post-season ahead of game two at TD Garden.
