Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Celtics Get Revenge on the Cavaliers

The Boston Celtics lost on Sunday night to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 88-87, after an abysmal scoreless four-and-a-half minutes to close the game. That loss was one of the hardest for the Celtics to swallow thus far in the season. It was a game that they were in control of and by all means should have won. However, they couldn't close the game. 

The Celtics didn't need to wait long to avenge this loss, though, with the Cavaliers next on their schedule just two days later. Needless to say, the Celtics were thankful for this opportunity. 

After taking an early lead, it was evident that the Celtics wanted this win much more so than the last time they played the Cavs. At one point in the game, the Celtics were up by 22 points. However, the Cavaliers would roll back after a poor fourth quarter by the Celtics and a good fourth quarter by the Cavaliers. 

And despite the fact that the Celtics should have blown this team out given their early lead, the game came down to the final minute where Kevin Garnett got a lucky roll on a fade-away shot over Anderson Varejao to put the Celtics up by four. 

In the end, the Celtics were able to hold on even though they were outscored, 32-17, in the fourth quarter, winning 93-90.

For the Celtics, they were led once again by the captain, Paul Pierce, who scored 20 points, dished out six assists, pulled down four boards and had three steals. Really though, it was a team effort for the Celtics who had five players score in double digits. 

Although it was a team win, the Celtics certainly didn't rebound as a team. The Celtics were unable to put a body on Anderson Varejao for nearly the entire game. Varejao put up an unheralded 20 points and 20 rebounds in this one. In this game, Varejao got more offensive rebounds (10) than the entire Celtics (7).

And to be completely honest, Varejao is one of my least favorite players. I don't know why; really him, Joakhim Noah, the Heat and the Lakers are the only NBA players that I openly dislike. I respect Varejao's hustle and rebounding, but that doesn't mean I have to like him

All in all, though, a win is a win and that is perhaps one of the few solaces to take in this game. In the future, the Celtics will need to rebound better and not completely shut down a quarter early, but as far as this game is concerned, they Celtics, at just 10-10, will take a W in the win/loss column by any means necessary.