Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cavaliers

With their trademark blend of hustle, energy and grit on both ends, the Boston Celtics took a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In a game that saw a deficit as large as 11 points in the second quarter, the Boston Celtics still managed to find a way to pull out a victory in Game 2 Tuesday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers by a final score of 107-94 to take a 2-0 series lead in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston’s comeback started with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half, as it scored four quick points to cut what was an 11-point Cleveland lead down to seven heading into the break, gaining some momentum in the process.

Once the second half started it was all Celtics as they outworked the Cavs on both ends while Cleveland’s defense became putrid with every passing possession. A key stretch for Boston came at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth, where the team held the Cavaliers without a point for over four minutes, allowing them to build their lead.

LeBron James finished with a fairly standard stat line for these playoffs, going off for a 42-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double.

Normally, this would at least keep the Cavaliers competitive, but not against the C’s, as Kevin Love and Kyle Korver were the only other Cavs to score in double digits, and their backcourt was outscored by a margin of 41-3.

Six players scored 10+ points for Boston, as Jaylen Brown led the team with 23 points.

It seemed like both teams would head to Cleveland with the series tied at 1-1, as the Cavs came out with more energy in the first 24 minutes of action.

Once that second half began, though, the Celtics turned up the effort on both ends, and they were rewarded with a 2-0 series lead, protecting their home-court in the process. Here are three key takeaways from this important Game 2 victory.