Final: Cavs 118, Celtics 114 (OT) - Shorthanded, but another missed opportunity

Game 66: Celtics (+8) at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00 p.m., Rocket Mortgage Field House, NBCS Boston 

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Robert Williams (hamstring), Jayson Tatum (knee), Al Horford (back)

Cleveland: QUESTIONABLE: Donovan Mitchell (finger)

Cavs probable starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarret Allen, Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro

Refs: Tony Brothers (#25), Tyler Ford (#39), Jason Goldenberg (#35)

Last time they played: Celtics 117, Cavs 113, March 1 - The Celtics put up a decent first quarter but 10-second chance points gave the Cavs an early 2-point lead. The Celtics took the lead back and then some behind Jayson Tatum’s 15-point 2nd quarter, and then he added 18 more in the third to push the Celtics lead to 21. The Celtics were up 16 late in the fourth and it looked like they were cruising, but they relaxed enough to make the end of the game interesting. They still held on to win 117-113.

A little something about this game: The Cavs beat Detroit after losing to Boston, but they're well-rested. They had two days off before the Pistons game, they blew the doors off Detroit and no one played more than 30 minutes, then they had last night off. Mitchell left that game with a sprained finger on his left hand, but it seemed like he could have returned if the game hadn’t been a blowout.

Things I’m looking for:

- A hot start: Call me crazy, but I can see the Celtics coming out strong in this one. With Tatum, Robert Williams, and Horford all out, the Celtics will be relying on some other guys who haven't been getting as much opportunity. Those guys will want to show something, especially someone like Payton Pritchard who might have been useful against Immanuel Quickley. This could be a chance for the lower-minute guys to bring some real energy and surprise people in the early going.

- Focus on execution: I feel like the offense has taken a step backwards, and sometimes missing guys can be the reminder that precise execution is as important as anything in an NBA offense. Run it quickly, run it well, make the defense move, and enjoy open opportunities. With one less guy on the floor who can create for himself, it will take teamwork and execution to win.

- Marcus Smart point guarding: I think he’s being pulled off the ball a little too much lately. Without Tatum to initiate a lot of late possessions, let’s see Smart take control of the offense and get back to passing first instead of shooting first. 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.