Boston visits the Cleveland Cavaliers for the third and final meeting of the season at 1: 00 p. m. ET Sunday, seeking a sweep after winning the first two matchups. Updated Sunday at 9: 34 a. m. ET, cavaliers vs celtics shifts to Rocket Arena with Jayson Tatum expected to play and Cleveland center Jarrett Allen ruled out.
Cavaliers Vs Celtics Series and Eastern Standings Picture
This cavaliers vs celtics matchup closes a three-game set Boston has controlled to date. The Celtics won 125-105 on October 29 in Boston and edged the Cavaliers 117-115 on November 30 in Cleveland. Last season the sides split 2-2, and Boston leads the all-time series 143-89, including 56-61 in games played in Cleveland.
At 42-21, the Celtics sit second in the East, 3. 5 games behind first-place Detroit, 1. 5 ahead of third-place New York, and three ahead of fourth-place Cleveland. They are 27-14 against the East, 21-11 on the road, 8-2 in their last 10, and coming off a win. Cleveland enters 39-24 and fourth in the East, 6. 5 behind Detroit, three back of Boston, and 1. 5 behind New York. The Cavaliers are 25-15 against the conference, 21-11 at home, 7-3 in their last 10, and have won two straight.
James Harden Arrival Highlights Cavaliers’ Deadline Overhaul
Cleveland is markedly different from the group Boston faced in November after a series of trade-deadline moves:
- Darius Garland was dealt to the Clippers for James Harden.
- De’Andre Hunter was traded to the Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder.
- Lonzo Ball was sent to the Jazz with two second-round picks to offload his contract.
Those transactions reshaped the Cavaliers’ backcourt and rotation as they push for higher seeding over the final stretch.
Jayson Tatum Expected, Jarrett Allen Out for Cleveland
For Boston, Jayson Tatum returned on Friday against Dallas after 298 days and is expected to play in Cleveland. Jordan Walsh, who missed Friday due to illness, is not on the current injury list. Center Nikola Vucevic fractured a finger on Friday, underwent surgery, and is expected to miss approximately a month.
Cleveland will be without starting center Jarrett Allen, who injured his right knee during Tuesday’s win over the first-place Pistons. Tyrese Proctor remains out with a right quadriceps strain. Max Strus has been cleared for on-court work after offseason foot surgery but is ruled out, and Jaylon Tyson is questionable with a neck strain. This is the second contest of a three-game Cavaliers homestand; they beat Detroit on Tuesday and will host Philadelphia next before trips to Orlando and Dallas, then a home date with Dallas, followed by road games at Milwaukee, Chicago, and New Orleans. After Cleveland, Boston continues a three-game road swing through San Antonio and Oklahoma City before returning home to host Washington, Phoenix, and Golden State.
Tip-off is confirmed for 1: 00 p. m. ET Sunday at Rocket Arena.
