The top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings are set for a showdown Tuesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Boston Celtics.
Currently sitting at the summit, the Cavaliers hold a 5.5-game lead over the second-place Celtics. Both teams delivered impressive performances on Sunday that they hope to build upon.
The Celtics showcased their resilience by overturning a 26-point deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-110, tying the largest comeback victory in the NBA this season. Boston’s strong finish, scoring 54 of the game’s last 74 points, extended their winning streak to three games.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers dominated the Dallas Mavericks with a 144-101 victory, setting a franchise record with 26 made three-pointers. Cleveland’s Sam Merrill shook off a recent slump by hitting nine threes, helping his team maintain their four-game winning streak. The Cavaliers lead the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (39.6%) and average 16.3 made threes per game, just behind the Celtics’ league-leading 17.8.
This will be the third meeting between the teams this season. After an undefeated start, Cleveland suffered its first loss to Boston, 120-117, on November 19. The Cavaliers evened the score with a 115-111 victory at home on December 1.
While Cleveland boasts a formidable 24-3 record at home, Boston has thrived on the road, with a 19-6 away record compared to 16-9 at home.
