Final: Celtics 116, Cavs 107 - Tatum closes the door on pesky Cavs

BOSTON CELTICS vs. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Boston/NBA TV

Line: Boston -9.5

INJURIES

Boston: Jaylen Brown (QUESTIONABLE, ankle), Kristaps Porzingis (PROBABLE, calf)

Cleveland: Evan Mobley (OUT, knee), Ty Jerome (OUT, ankle), Ricky Rubio (OUT)

NOTES

- This is the second of two straight home games between the Celtics and the Cavs. It’s the first of a back-to-back (and part of a three games in four nights stretch) for the Celtics. They face Orlando tomorrow night. 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. A better start: The Celtics definitely looked a little rusty to start Tuesday night’s game. So the obvious thing I’d like to see is a better start to the game. Just some better ball movement and crisper passes in the first quarter to get back to being themselves. 

2. Corner 3-pointers: The Celtics started the season in the lower half of the league in generating corner 3-pointers. That trend has changed over the last few games and I’d like to see it continue with some specific actions for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. 

3. Containing their guards: I’ll say it again, with the full acknowledgement (again) that it’s easier said than done. I’m hoping a little better start will keep them in rhythm on both ends, and maybe they won’t give up as many easy buckets to Donovan Micthell early on to get him going.

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.