The Boston Celtics displayed a remarkable performance in the first game of the NBA Eastern Conference semi-final, triumphing over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a score of 120-95. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, complemented by Derrick White’s 25 points and seven three-pointers. This victory has positioned the Celtics strongly in their pursuit of their 18th NBA championship.
Brown underscored the significance of defence in their triumph, stating, “It begins with defence; we aimed to establish a defensive tone and succeeded in holding them to under 100. However, we are equipped to handle any situation, so we simply play the game in the correct manner.” Throughout most of the game, the Celtics maintained a lead in the double digits, showcasing their dominance on the court.
On the contrary, the Cleveland Cavaliers put up a determined fight, with Donovan Mitchell leading the scoring with 33 points, supported by Evan Mobley with 17 points and Darius Garland with 14 points. Despite their efforts, the Cavaliers struggled to keep pace with the Celtics’ impressive performance. The eagerly anticipated second game of the best-of-seven series is approaching.
In the Western Conference semi-final, the Oklahoma City Thunder achieved a 117-95 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the first game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer for the Thunder, scoring 29 points, securing nine rebounds, and delivering nine assists. Their triumph also marked a historic moment, as the Thunder became the youngest team to win an NBA play-off semi-final, with an average age of just over 23.
The Mavericks, led by Kyrie Irving with 20 points and Luka Doncic with 19 points despite a sore knee, demonstrated valiant effort. Nonetheless, they were unable to overcome the youthful vigour and skill of the Thunder. The competition is poised to intensify in the forthcoming second game of the series.
In summary, the NBA play-off semi-finals have commenced with captivating performances and remarkable accomplishments. The Celtics and the Thunder have set the stage for an enthralling series, and enthusiasts await the subsequent games with great anticipation to witness the unfolding action.