The Celtics have the opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they aim to win both games in Cleveland.
Boston handed Cleveland its first home loss this postseason in Game 3 behind 33 points in a bounce-back night for Jayson Tatum and another 28 from Jaylen Brown.
Since the current playoff format was adopted in 1984, teams that win Games 3 and 4 on the road to take a 3-1 series lead have won the series 36 of 37 times. All time, teams that go up 3-1 in a best-of-seven series with the series over 95% of the time.
A series win would send the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season and the sixth time in the last eight years.
“It’s going to be a big challenge. We expect them to play better,” Derrick White said at shootaround Monday morning. “Game 4 is huge.”
Kristaps Porzingis remains the only Celtic out as he continues to nurse a right soleus strain. Before Game 4, the big man engaged in a light yet extensive offensive and defensive drills during shootaround alongside assistant coaches Jermaine Bucknor, DJ Macleay, and Tyler Lashbrook.
Porzingis, who will miss his fourth consecutive game in Game 4, appeared to be moving much better and saw increased floor activity on Monday.
“He has been working the whole time and it’s always great to see him,” Derrick White said on having Porzingis around. “We got his music playing. Hopefully, it helps him heal faster. It’s always great to have him around, and we know he’s doing everything he can to get back as quickly and safely as possible.”
Porzingis requested the Celtics play “Bad Bunny” as he went through his workouts.
“I haven’t watched his rehab, but he’s working hard and trying to get back, and he’s made better steps,” Joe Mazzulla said. “All I know is that he’s working really hard to try and get back as fast as he can.”
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell, who is averaging 31.7 points on 51.5% shooting from the field and 53.3% from deep this series with 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and a steal, was not on the court for the open portion of the Cavs’ shootaround ahead of Game 4. Instead, he received treatment for a strained left calf.
Mitchell is OUT for Cleveland in Game 4. The five-time All-Star has recorded at least 25 points in six-straight postseason games, joining LeBron James as the only players in Cavs history with at least six-straight playoff games with at least 25 points.
“Everybody,” Cavs’ head coach JB Bickerstaff said on making up for Mitchell’s absence. “That’s the only way we can do it. Everybody’s gonna have to take up a little bit. Not one person, obviously, can replace what Donovan does for us. But everybody’s just got to take up whatever their strength is, whatever their skill set is. They got to go out and be the most confident version of themselves tonight. But again, we’ll always do it together.”
The Cavaliers are +320 with Mitchell on the floor this postseason. With him off, they are a -33. Cleveland is 12-15 this season when he is sidelined.
Jarrett Allen will also miss his seventh consecutive game due to a rib injury he suffered in the Cavs’ opening-round series with the Orlando Magic. Allen played in 77 games in the regular season, all starts, averaging 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks. The 6-foot-11 played at an All-Star level this season and has been a massive loss for Cleveland.
“I know Jarrett, I know Jarrett wants to be on the floor. He would do anything in his power to be on the floor,” Bickerstaff said. “But, obviously, he just can’t go and hasn’t been able to go.”
Ty Jerome (ankle surgery) and Craig Porter Jr. (ankle sprain) will also be sidelined for the hosts.
“Regardless of who’s in, who’s out, you got to be the hardest playing team,” Mazulla said. “I guess that’s most important. There’ll be some minor adjustments along the way. But you know, it seems like the team that’s fighting the hardest, the most desperate team that wins.”
Boston is 3-0 in road playoff games this season and an NBA-best 17-7 over the last three seasons.
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