CELTICS STUN CAVALIERS IN GAME 3 ROUT, TAKE COMMANDING 2-1 SERIES LEAD

From the opening tip, the Celtics dictated the pace and physicality of the game. Their defense, which had been a point of emphasis for head coach Joe Mazzulla after Game 2, swarmed the Cavaliers, denying easy looks and forcing turnovers. Cleveland shot a paltry 42.7% from the field and a dismal 25.0% from three-point range, a stark contrast to their efficient offensive output earlier in the series. The Celtics' perimeter defense, particularly Jrue Holiday's tenacious guarding of Donovan Mitchell, proved instrumental in disrupting the Cavaliers' offensive flow. Mitchell, despite leading Cleveland with 33 points, was visibly fatigued and struggled to find open looks against Holiday's relentless pressure.

On the offensive end, Jaylen Brown spearheaded the Celtics' attack, scoring a game-high 28 points on an efficient 13-of-17 shooting. He consistently attacked the basket, drawing fouls and creating opportunities for his teammates. Jayson Tatum, after a relatively quiet first half, found his rhythm in the third quarter, contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics' ball movement was crisp and decisive, resulting in 24 assists as a team. They consistently found the open man, capitalizing on Cleveland's defensive breakdowns. Derrick White continued his stellar playoff performance, adding 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, further solidifying the Celtics' balanced offensive attack.

The Cavaliers' struggles were compounded by the absence of Jarrett Allen, who missed his fifth consecutive game with a rib injury. Allen's absence has been keenly felt, particularly on the defensive end, where his rim protection and rebounding have been sorely missed. Without Allen, the Cavaliers' interior defense has been vulnerable, allowing the Celtics easy access to the paint. Evan Mobley, despite his best efforts, has been unable to fully compensate for Allen's absence. Cleveland's supporting cast also struggled to provide consistent offensive contributions. Darius Garland, after a strong showing in Game 2, was limited to just 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, and Caris LeVert added only 9 points off the bench.

The turning point of the game came in the third quarter when the Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 33-21. Boston's defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting Cleveland to contested shots. Simultaneously, the Celtics' offense caught fire, with Tatum and Brown combining for 17 points in the quarter. This decisive run gave the Celtics a comfortable lead that they never relinquished. The Cavaliers, visibly deflated, struggled to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, allowing the Celtics to cruise to a decisive victory. The Celtics’ ability to adjust their game plan and exploit Cleveland's weaknesses proved to be the key to their success in Game 3.

"We knew we had to come out with a different level of intensity tonight," said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla after the game. "We weren't happy with our defensive effort in Game 2, and we made a conscious effort to be more aggressive and physical. Jrue [Holiday] did an outstanding job on Donovan [Mitchell], and our entire team stepped up their defensive game."

ESPN analyst and former NBA player Kendrick Perkins weighed in on the Cavaliers' struggles, stating, "The Cavaliers are missing Jarrett Allen big time. His absence is exposing their lack of interior defense and rebounding. They need him back desperately if they want to have a chance to win this series."

Jaylen Brown, reflecting on his performance, commented, "I just tried to be aggressive and attack the basket. We knew we needed to set the tone early, and I wanted to lead by example. We have a lot of confidence in our team, and we know what we're capable of."

The Celtics' dominant performance in Game 3 has shifted the momentum firmly in their favor. Their stifling defense, coupled with the offensive prowess of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, proved too much for the Cavaliers to handle. As the series progresses, the Cavaliers will need to find a way to generate more consistent offense outside of Donovan Mitchell and address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the paint. The potential return of Jarrett Allen could provide a much-needed boost, but even with Allen back in the lineup, Cleveland will need to elevate their overall level of play to compete with the Celtics' championship aspirations. Game 4 on Monday night will be a crucial test for the Cavaliers as they fight to avoid falling into a 3-1 series deficit. For the Celtics, maintaining their defensive intensity and continuing to exploit Cleveland's weaknesses will be paramount to securing another victory and moving closer to the Eastern Conference Finals. The pressure is now squarely on Cleveland to respond and prove they can contend with the Celtics' formidable talent and experience.