Donovan Mitchell gets poster dunk but Celtics wins over Cavaliers in Matchup of East’s Best

On By Littum

Donovan Mitchell threw one of this year’s thumps in Tuesday’s eastern conference clashes between Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Cetlics.

But he didn’t get the victory. Celtics opened a 35-15 quarter lead and then held a Cavaliers rally for a 112-105 victory. With the victory, second place Celtics (36-15) moved to 4.5 games behind Cavaliers (40-10) during the race at No. 1 seed in the east.

Mitchell, who stands on 6-foot-3, tried to set the tone early with his emphatic thump over Boston’s 7-2 Center, Kristaps Porziņģis. With the game tied to 4-4 in the first quarter, Mitchell Cavaliers violation led over Halfcourt after a Jayson Tatum Miss. He split Tatum and Jrue Holiday at the top of the 3-point line and made a line for the basket.

Porziņģis tried to prevent Mitchell from the help side, but it was of no avail. When Porziņģis jumped in the basket to block Mitchell’s shot, Mitchell tightened the ball back with his right hand and threw it over porziņģis and through the net.

But Boston was not blinded. Celtics responded by dominating the first quarter on their way to their 20-point lead early in the second. Cleveland struggled to shoot in a 44-point first half that Celtics led 54-44.

Cavaliers were better after the break and cut Celtics’ lead to 109-104 in the game’s final minutes. But Boston Limited Cleveland for a single free throw from there on the way to the seven-point gain.

Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell (45) Dunks over Boston Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis, Left, in the first half of an NBA basketball match, Tuesday 4 February 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell (45) Dunks over Boston Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis, Left, in the first half of an NBA basketball match, Tuesday 4 February 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Donovan Mitchell (45) Dunks over Boston Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis, Left, in the first half of an NBA basketball match, Tuesday 4 February 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Mitchell led the road in Cleveland Rally with 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Darius Garland defeated a five-point first half to finish with 25.

Strong defense and superior 3-point shooting from Celtics turned out too much for Cleveland to overcome. Celtics limited Cavaliers to 39.6% shooting from the field and a 28.2% clip (11 of 39) from long distance. Boston opposed a 17-of-48 (35.4%) efforts beyond the arch as four starters scored in double.

Jayson Tatum led the Boston effort with 22 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Derrick White talked 20 points and five assists, while Porziņģis released 19 points and seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown ended with 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists.