jaylen+brown+boston+celticsGame 1 of the Eastern Conference finals went south pretty quickly for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Led by 23 points from Jaylen Brown the Boston Celtics defeated the Cavs 108-83 on Sunday in Game 1. The Celtics led by 21 points in the first quarter and 28 in the second.

Brown also added eight rebounds and veteran center Al Horford had 20 points, six assists and four rebounds in the Celtics winning effort. Marcus Morris had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Tatum had 16 points and six rebounds points and Rozier contributed eight points and eight assists.

The Celtics overpowered the Cavs with its defense and crushed them with its offense.

LeBron James entered the game averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and nine assists in the playoffs, but Boston’s pressure defense held him to 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as he shot 5-for-16 from the field.

It’s only one game, but it was evident that the Cavs have offensive and defensive issues that may be difficult to resolve against the nifty, physical, and younger Celtics.

The Celtics dominated from start to finish in this Eastern Conference final opener and although there is enough time for the Cavs to find new life and bounce back; doing it is another matter.

Boston had outstanding ball movement and great defense, making 14-of-22 shots and holding Cleveland to 7-for-22 from the field.

The Cavaliers were outscored by 32 points with James on the court, which matches his worst plus-minus of his playoff career.

The Cavaliers shot 36 percent from the field, including 15.4 percent on three-pointers. Cleveland missed its first 15 three-pointers and made just four.

James, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love and Kyle Korver were a combined 2-for-17 on three-pointers against the Celtics, with Love scoring a team-high 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Game 2 is Tuesday at TD Garden in Boston (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The series then moves to Cleveland on Saturday.

 

 

 

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