Celtics Emerge Victorious in Game 1, Unleashing a Three-Point Barrage

Led by Brown and White, the Boston Celtics set a record-breaking performance in three-point shooting, leading to a dominant 120-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening game of their second-round playoff series.

In a night of exceptional three-point shooting, the Boston Celtics stormed to an emphatic 120-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White led the charge, combining for 12 three-pointers and igniting a franchise-record 23 threes in total.

Brown, who finished with a team-high 32 points, displayed remarkable efficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 6-for-9. His three-point barrage was particularly potent in the second quarter, where he sank three triples to extend the Celtics' lead to 15 points. White, a midseason acquisition for Boston, matched Brown's three-point output, hitting 6-of-11 from deep. His sharp shooting was instrumental in Boston's second-half dominance, as he drained four threes in the third period alone.

In a collective three-point outburst, the Celtics shot an astonishing 23-of-53 (43.4%) from behind the arc. This marked the most three-pointers made by any team in a playoff game this season, surpassing the previous record of 21 set by the Phoenix Suns in 2021.

The Celtics' three-point proficiency was a major catalyst for their success in Game 1. They repeatedly kept the Cavaliers at bay, with the cushion provided by their long-range shooting allowing them to control the pace and tempo of the game.

Jayson Tatum, the Celtics' leading scorer throughout the regular season, contributed 21 points in Game 1, but it was his three-point shooting that truly stood out. Tatum's 4-of-8 performance from deep underlined the collective shooting prowess that overwhelmed the Cavaliers.

The Celtics' three-point shooting also opened up opportunities for their inside game. Al Horford, starting in place of the injured Robert Williams III, finished with 14 points, while Grant Williams added 12 points off the bench. Their ability to penetrate the paint and draw fouls played a crucial role in Boston's success.

Conversely, the Cavaliers struggled to match the Celtics' three-point dominance. Led by Darius Garland's 24 points, Cleveland managed to hit only 6-of-30 (20%) from behind the arc. This inability to keep pace with the Celtics' shooting barrage proved detrimental to their hopes of stealing home-court advantage.

Game 1 of the series showcased the Celtics' versatility and the collective brilliance of their offense. With their three-point prowess firing on all cylinders, Boston sent a clear message to the Cavaliers that they are a formidable force to be reckoned with in this second-round matchup.