The Boston Celtics are one game away from returning to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth time in the past eight years.
Behind a game-high 33 points from St. Louisan Jayson Tatum, the Celtics defeated the host Cleveland Cavaliers On Monday night to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best of seven Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Celtics are now a perfect 4-0 on the road during the NBA playoffs.
It was the second consecutive game that Tatum has scored 33 points against the Cavaliers. He also added 11 rebounds and five assists while making all nine of his free throw attempts. Jaylen Brown added 27 points and eight rebounds while Jrue Holiday scored 16 points.
The Cavaliers put up a game effort despite playing without star guard Donovan Mitchell, who missed the game with an injury. He was averaging 32 points a game in the playoffs. Guard Darius Garland scored 30 points while Caris Levert and Evan Mobley added 19 points each.
The series returns to Boston on Wednesday night for Game 5. Tip off is at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on TNT.
In the second game of the evening, the Oklahoma City Thunder scored a big 100-96 road victory over the Dallas Mavericks to tie its Western Conference semifinals series at 2-2.
The Thunder trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, but they gradually cut into the Mavericks lead and ended the game on a 9-0 run to take the victory and regain home court advantage.
All-Star guard Shai-Gilgeous Alexander led the Thunder with 34 points and eight rebounds. He led the OKC rally with one mid-range jumper after another. Rookie center Chet Holmgren scored 18 points while guard Lou Dort added 17 points.
The Mavericks were led by forward P.J. Washington with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Doncic recorded a triple double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
The series returns to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night for Game 5 at 8:30 p.m. The game will be televised on TNT.
