Last Saturday night in Cleveland Ohio, the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the Boston Celtics for game 3 of their best of seven Eastern Conference semifinals series. The series was tied 1-1 each team with the Celtics winning game one by 25 points and the Cavaliers winning game 2 by 24 points. Cleveland again was without C Jarrett Allen due to a rib injury. This is the 6th consecutive game he has missed. Boston was still without Kristaps Porzingis due to his calf injury.  However, the Cavaliers did get F Dean Wade back for the first time in two months. The question is how much of an impact can he will have on the game?

The first quarter was competitive, the Cavs stayed with the Celtics despite 5 turnovers and the quarter ended with the Celtics leading 30-28. In the 2nd quarter the Celtics pulled away with better shooting and overall execution. The first half ended with Boston on top by a score of 57-48. The third quarter opened with a Boston 14-2 run. The Cavaliers did try battle back, but the Celtics led after the 3rd quarter 84-69. To start the 4th quarter Cleveland did pull to within 9 points of Boston. But the Celtics pulled away to get lead by 14 points with 5:41 left in the game. Boston held on to win by the final score of 106-93. Cleveland had a field goal percentage of 42.2% while Boston shot for 51.3% from the field. That was the difference in the game. The leading scorer for Cleveland was Donovan Mitchell with 33 points and Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points as well.

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night at 7 pm in Cleveland. With a victory Monday night, the Cavaliers can tie this series 2-2. Cleveland has just lost their first playoff game at home. Cleveland is hoping that Monday night the Rocket Mortgage Field House will be rocking and rolling. High excitement and high energy should be the theme. That could be the energy for the Cavaliers need to go back to Boston and try to reach the Conference Finals for the first time in 6 years.