BOSTON — Because the defending champions, the Boston Celtics entered the 2024-25 NBA season because the crew to beat. And in some ways, they nonetheless are. Nevertheless, the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers are additionally notable contenders who discover themselves on a collision course with the C’s.
On Tuesday evening, the Celtics and Cavs will face off at TD Backyard in NBA Cup competitors. The Cavaliers did not obtain a lot preseason accolades a number of months in the past, however they’ve gotten the league’s consideration due to a 15-0 begin. That is the second-best season-opening collection in NBA historical past and is surpassed solely by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. These 73-9 Dubs went an unprecedented 24-0, however then misplaced within the 2016 NBA Finals to, mockingly, the Cavs.
Celtics level guard Payton Pritchard respects what Cleveland has completed to this point. That does not imply he is treating the Inexperienced crew’s Jap Convention showdown with the Cavaliers any in a different way.
“Possibly for some, however not essentially for me,” he replied throughout apply Monday morning when requested if Tuesday’s recreation gave him additional motivation. “Each recreation we play, I’m excited. So it does not matter in the event that they have been between 0 and 15 years outdated, I will are available in with the identical mentality.
The fifth-year Celtic thinks so too. Pritchard is aware of the problem of preventing to get on the sphere and earn minutes. Consequently, he by no means takes any alternative for enjoying time without any consideration.
Whether or not he is burying the rebuilding Charlotte Hornets with 22 factors on a Saturday afternoon or displaying up with 18 factors in opposition to the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks, Pritchard involves play in each recreation. His dedication to all the time bringing it has helped him safe a extra established position with the Celtics and a career-high 28.2 minutes per outing this season.
In 15 video games, the Oregon native is averaging 15.5 factors whereas capturing 46.4 % from the ground and 41.9 % from deep.
“Man, he is improved loads, as you’ve got seen,” Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser stated. “I knew he may try this. I’ve identified this for some time now. He lastly reveals it.
The place are the Celtics and Cavaliers heading into Tuesday evening’s conflict?
With Pritchard’s scorching capturing and dependable manufacturing from Celtics starters Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, Boston is 11-3 total and in second place within the Jap Convention. The C’s dominated the East for 353 days till late October, once they fell to the Indiana Pacers and fell to 4-1. On the identical day, the Cavs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to enhance to 5-0 and take first place.
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Since then, Cleveland has not relinquished its maintain on the highest seed. The Cavaliers are led by star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and 2022 All-Star heart Jarrett Allen, who was sidelined with a damaged rib for all the 2024 Jap Convention semifinal in opposition to the Celtics.
“They’re an excellent crew,” admitted Pritchard. “They’ve a number of good guards. Good size. Their adults are enjoying nicely… It is going to be a great match, we’re wanting ahead to it. It is going to be aggressive. And I hope, you already know, the Boston viewers will come tomorrow.
Boston has allowed the third-most factors within the paint this season, whereas Cleveland has averaged the fourth-most factors per recreation in that space. The Celtics typically want their groups to harm them inside quite than exterior the perimeter, however the Cavs’ dominance on the rim may change that recreation plan.
Irrespective of the place the Celtics and Cavs go head-to-head, Tuesday ought to present an intriguing matchup between two of the NBA’s finest groups. As for Pritchard, it will likely be as normal searching for one other victory.
