The Cleveland Cavaliers orchestrated a stunning upset against the formidable Boston Celtics on Tuesday, putting an end to Boston’s impressive 11-game winning streak.
Dean Wade, coming off the bench, ignited the Cavs’ comeback from a daunting 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter. With nine minutes left on the clock, the Cavaliers found themselves trailing 93-71.
However, they mounted an astonishing 34-11 run to close the quarter, culminating in a thunderous dunk by Wade with only 19 seconds remaining. As Boston held a slim 104-103 lead in the waning moments of the game, Darius Garland made a contested layup attempt.
Although he missed, Wade capitalized on the opportunity with a crucial putback, propelling the Cavs into the lead and igniting euphoria among the Cleveland faithful.
Amid the intense finale, Jayson Tatum momentarily seemed poised to salvage victory for the Celtics. In the game’s dying seconds, the Celtics’ All-Star attempted a fadeaway jump shot, only to miss.
Cavaliers vs Celtics (Via NBA/Twitter)
However, with 0.7 seconds left on the clock, a whistle blew, indicating a foul on Garland, potentially granting Tatum two free throws to clinch the win.
Upon review, it was revealed that Garland’s contact with Tatum’s leg, albeit minimal, occurred after the shot was released. The Cavaliers contested the call, prompting head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to challenge the decision.
After careful deliberation, officials overturned the ruling, determining that Tatum’s leg movement initiated the contact with Garland, leading to the pivotal decision being rescinded.
With the controversial call nullified, the game resumed with a jump ball at center court, and despite the Celtics winning the tip-off, time constraints prevented them from calling a timeout. Thus, the game concluded with the Cavaliers securing a remarkable victory on their home turf.
Boston Celtics (Via NBA/Twitter)
With this triumph, the Cavaliers improved their record to 40-21, inching closer to the second-place Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, the Celtics, despite the defeat, maintained their stronghold atop the conference with a record of 48-13, showcasing their dominance in the league.
Furthermore, injuries plagued the short-handed Cavaliers throughout the game, with key players like Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus sidelined. Additionally, Evan Mobley suffered an apparent ankle injury in the third quarter, further complicating Cleveland’s situation.
Despite the adversities, Dean Wade emerged as the hero for the Cavaliers, delivering a stellar performance in the fourth quarter.
His 20-point outburst, including five crucial 3-pointers, spearheaded Cleveland’s improbable comeback, ultimately securing the victory. Wade’s remarkable display, coupled with the resilient effort of his teammates, propelled the Cavaliers to a memorable win over their conference rivals.
