Celtics

 Jayson Tatum scores 33 points, Celtics rebound from loss to beat Cavs 106- 93 for 2- 1 series lead

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum( 0) celebrates near Cleveland Gentlemen guard Donovan Mitchell, right, after a immerse during the alternate half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

CLEVELAND( AP) — Green uniforms. Big shots. Championship- position intensity.

The Boston Celtics looked a lot more like themselves in Game 3.

Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, Jaylen Brown added 28 and no. 1- planted Celtics bounced back from a stumble at home, beating the Cleveland Gentlemen 106- 93 on Saturday night to take a 2- 1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Celtics did not mess around after dropping Game 2 on their home parquet bottom by 24 on Thursday. They couldn't.

"We're not coming to Cleveland because of the rain, so let's go," said Brown, who went 13-of-17 from the field. "There's nothing complicated about it. Play defense and the rest will take care of itself. We could have done better, but we kept them under 100."

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum( 0) dunks between Cleveland Gentlemen guard Max Strus, left, and guard Caris LeVert during the alternate half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

The lackluster performance — Boston was favored by double integers — in Game 2 was evocative of the first round, when the Celtics lost the alternate game against Miami before winning three in a row to exclude the Heat.

" Tonight was a great test, we had a chance to come out and respond and play better and play harder," said Tatum, who added 13 rebounds and six assists.

There was a purpose behind every play. We did a good job communicating our conduct. ”

Tatum scored on a three- point play and the Celtics opened the alternate half with 14 straight points to take a 23- point lead.

That was way too important for the Cavs, who crushed a 22- point deficiency in the fourth quarter to stun Boston in March.

“ We felt like trying to punch them in the face right down was the right option, ” said Jrue Holiday, who scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half."J.B.( Brown) told us it was n’t over and we knew that. We ’ve been over 20 in the fourth quarter then and they came back and won. ”

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum( 0) shoots as Cleveland Gentlemen forward Dean Wade( 32) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for Cleveland, but the All- Star guard exacerbated a left knee injury in the fourth quarter and was labored. With Boston over 13 and in control, Mitchell left the court with 119 left and walked directly to the locker room. subsequently, Mitchell did not say anything about the injury, but bemoaned Cleveland's slow launch after halftime.

“ It changed the game, ” he said. “ Give them credit. They came out with urgency.. It's tough to come back from that. They came out with an intention. ”

Cleveland got within nine on three occasions in Game 4, but the Celtics, who shot 8 of 35 on 3-pointers in Game 2, had back-to-back three points. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White to decelerate the Cavs' comeback.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown( 7) shoots over Cleveland Gentlemen guard Max Strus during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

“ We need everybody to be on the same runner and everybody to come out with the same trouble, ” Brown said." The rest will take care of itself because we ’ve got enough gift in this locker room. ”

Cleveland Gentlemen forward Evan Mobley( 4) shoots from between Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum( 0) and center Al Horford, right, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

Down by 23 and unfit to stop Tatum, the Cavs clawed back.

They cut Boston's lead to 15 by the end of the third, and scored the first six points in the fourth, transferring their kerchief- signaling crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse looking for another derangement into a delirium.

Cleveland Gentlemen guard Darius Garland, left, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum fall while reaching for the ball during the first half of Game 3 of the second round of an NBA basketball game. playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

But whenever the Celtics demanded a pail, they went to either Tatum or Brown, who broke down Cleveland's defense for layups or made tough, queried minidresses.

Cleveland Gentlemen' Donovan Mitchell reacts after a handbasket against the Boston Celtics during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

“ When they get going, that is who they are, ” Mitchell said." We battled and came back, but the launch of the third quarter did it.".

Evan Mobley added 17 points and Darius Garland and Caris LeVert 15 all for the Cavs, who lost for the first time at home in these playoffs.

Cleveland was again without starting center Jarrett Allen, who missed his sixth straight game with a painful caricature injury. Allen has been out since Game 4 of the nature against Orlando, and it's unknown when or if he'll be available.

Cleveland Gentlemen guard Caris LeVert shoots in front of Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser( 30) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

Mitchell made six 3- pointers and scored 23 in the first half to pace the Cavs, but Cleveland did not get nearly enough from the rest of its starters or bench as the Celtics opened a 57- 48 halftime lead.

Cleveland Gentlemen trainerJ.B. Bickerstaff gestures to an functionary during the first half of Game 3 of the platoon's NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

After the Celtics were stunned on their home bottom in Game 2 despite being heavy pets, trainer Joe Mazzulla said the communication to his players heading into Game 3 was simple.

“ Do what you do stylish, and do it more, ” he said.

The Celtics got off to a cold start again, as they missed their first two 3-pointers. But a good early aesthetic boosted their confidence and they hit 5 3s in the first quarter to take a 30-28 lead after one..

Game 2 was also forgotten, and Tatum was confident that all the Celtics would show up.

Cleveland Gentlemen forward Evan Mobley( 4) dunks in front of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, second from right, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Gentlemen forward Evan Mobley( 4) dunks in front of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, second from right, during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

"I scored so many times (33 points)," he said. Points come and go, but the most important thing was how relaxed we were.

And we did it in a great terrain that was delightful to be a part of. ”

Cleveland got a nice early lift as forward Dean Wade made his postseason debut after missing the once two months with a sprained knee. Wade, who scored a career-high 23 against Boston on March 5 when the Cavs crushed a 22- point deficiency in the fourth quarter, knocked down a 3- pointer on his first touch.

Cleveland Gentlemen guard Donovan Mitchell, right, shoots over Boston Celtics center Al Horford( 42) during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Cleveland.( AP print/ Sue Ogrocki)

Boston center Kristaps Porzingis missed his fourth straight game with a shin strain.