Final: Celtics 125, Cavs 103 -- Rozier fills it up in blowout win

Kyrie Irving (illness) and Al Horford (rest) got the night off against the worst team in the NBA and the Celtics didn’t have much trouble dismissing the visitors, cruising to a 125-103 win behind stellar offensive efforts from Terry Rozier (26 points) and Jaylen Brown (23 points). Five different Celtics scored in double figures as the C’s dismantled a lackluster Cavs defense with 52.9 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from 3-point range. It was the fifth straight win for Boston and tenth overall at the TD Garden ahead of a showdown with the Warriors that awaits on Saturday night. Cedi Osman had a team-high 25 points for the Cavs, who have now dropped 17 of their last 18 games.

Rozier the starter continues to shine: It hasn’t been a pretty season for the guard, but he put on a show in the first half of this one, matching his season-high with 22 points at halftime after going perfect from the field. He eventually finished with a season-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting while posting team-highs with eight rebounds and six assists in just 30 minutes. The performance could be a much-needed confidence boost for the 24-year-old after a brutal month on the offensive end.   

First Half Notes

• A very sluggish start for the offense outside of Terry Rozier. Far too much settling for the likes of Tatum and Morris against the worst defense in the NBA.


• Luckily for the offense, Terry Rozier was primed for his best offensive performance of the year starting in place of a sick Kyrie Irving. He was a perfect 6-of-6 in the first quarter to score 16 points in the frame and he made two more to match his season-high with 22 points in the first half alone.


• C's offense finally got into a rhythm with the second unit as Brad Wannamaker (8 points) and Jaylen Brown (9 points started to attack the holes within the offense and get some good looks.


• Robert Williams got a quick chance in the first quarter once Baynes took a shot to the groin but he didn't last long as the Cavs guards found some space around him in the pick-and-roll.


• Former Celtic Ante Zizic was the best offensive weapon for Cavs in the first half, posting 14 points and 4 rebounds primarily with strong finishing around the rim.


• Rodney Hood continues to kill his value as a free agent this offseason. He's just bringing nothing to the table for a woeful Cavs offense.


• C's shoot 56 percent in the first half and nearly double up the Cavs behind a 38-20 second quarter.

• The Celtics will be without Kyrie Irving (flu) and Al Horford (rest) for this matchup, which will give both players four full days of rest before a showdown with the Warriors on Saturday night.


• The Cavs will be without several key rotation bigs including Kevin Love (foot), Tristan Thompson and Larry Nance Jr. (knee), which opens the door for former Celtic Ante Zizic to get the start at center.


• The Cavs have lost 16 of their last 17 games and currently hold the worst record in the NBA after the swoon following a host of injuries and firing their head coach Ty Lue in the first month of the season.


• The Celtics will be going for their fifth consecutive win overall and their tenth straight win at the TD Garden dating back to Dec. 21.