Final: Celtics 103, Cavs 96 -- C's win fifth straight

CLEVELAND -- The Celtics will go for their fifth straight win without Kyrie Irving (hip) and Marcus Morris (knee) in Cleveland in the final game ahead of the trade deadline.

First Half Notes

• Uninspiring start on the defensive end for the Celtics, who have given up four offensive rebounds in the first six minutes against an undermanned Cavs lineup.


• Colin Sexton and David Nwaba getting to the hoop plenty early against Tatum and Rozier.


• Celtics with some balanced scoring in the early going with everyone getting on the scoreboard in the starting five in first quarter except for Jaylen Brown.


• Brown really struggled with finishing around the basket early but got going in the second quarter with a pair of breakaway dunks to finish with eight points.


• Some very solid minutes from Gordon Hayward in the first half (10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds) against a soft Cavs defense in his return to the site of his injury for the first time.


• Tatum getting very aggressive down low with his aggression in the post. He's got a a team-high 13 points thanks in part to six free throws.


• C's going to need to focus in on slowing down the Cavs starting backcourt in the second half, as Sexton and Burks have combined for 32 of the Cavs' 51 points on 14-of-25 shooting.


• Hot shooting continues for the Celtics who have now shot 57 percent from the field for three straight halves on their way to a 59-51 halftime lead. Defense and rebounding needs some work but the offensive flow remains superb.

• The Cavs will be down several players including swingman Rodney Hood who was just traded earlier this week. Cedi Osman and Tristan Thompson have been ruled out due to injury as well, leaving Cleveland looking very thin in the frontcourt ahead of the trade deadline.


• Kyrie Irving (sore hip) did not make the trip to Cleveland. Marcus Morris is in Cleveland but will rest due to right knee soreness while Aron Baynes remains out with a bruised foot. Robert Williams also is questionable with a sore back, so the team called up two-way player PJ Dozier for added depth. Look for Gordon Hayward or Jaylen Brown to get the start tonight in place of Morris.


• The Celtics have won four straight games overall and nine of their last 10. They remain in a three-way tie for the No. 3 seed in the East after the improved stretch but are still five games behind the Bucks for the top seed.