Streaking Celtics Without Starters Jaylen Brown, Derrick White In Second Matchup Against Cavaliers
Celtics Aim To Extend Winning Streak Against Short-Handed Cavaliers
Boston, MA - The Boston Celtics will look to extend their winning streak to three games when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, November 4. The Celtics are without two of their starters, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, due to injuries, but they still have plenty of firepower.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 31.8 points per game this season, and he's coming off a 49-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Malcolm Brogdon has also been playing well, averaging 18.0 points and 5.5 assists per game. And Marcus Smart is a defensive stalwart who can also contribute on the offensive end.
The Cavaliers are also without a key player, as Darius Garland is out with a thumb injury. However, they still have a lot of talent, led by Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is averaging 31.3 points per game this season, and he's one of the most dynamic scorers in the league.
The Celtics will need to be at their best to beat the Cavaliers without Brown and White. But if they can play with the same intensity and focus that they showed against the Hornets, they should have a good chance of winning.
Depth to Be Tested as Celtics Short-Handed Against Cavaliers
The Celtics will be without two of their starters, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, November 4. Brown is out with a facial injury, while White is out with a hamstring injury.
The absence of Brown and White will test the Celtics' depth. Brown is one of the team's leading scorers and defenders, while White is a valuable playmaker and defender.
The Celtics will need to find ways to replace the production of Brown and White. Jayson Tatum will need to take on a bigger role, and Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart will need to step up.
The Celtics also have some talented players coming off the bench who could play a bigger role in Brown and White's absence. Grant Williams is a versatile defender who can also score, and Payton Pritchard is a good shooter and playmaker.
The Celtics will need to be at their best to beat the Cavaliers without Brown and White. But if they can play with the same intensity and focus that they showed against the Hornets, they should have a good chance of winning.
Cavaliers Facing Tough Test Against Celtics, Despite Injuries
The Cavaliers will be facing a tough test when they travel to Boston to take on the Celtics on Friday, November 4. The Celtics are one of the best teams in the league, and they will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games.
The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland, their leading scorer and assist man. However, they still have a lot of talent, led by Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is one of the most dynamic scorers in the league, and he will be looking to lead the Cavaliers to a victory.
The Cavaliers will also need to get contributions from their other players. Evan Mobley is a rising star, and he will need to play well for the Cavaliers to have a chance of winning.
The Cavaliers will also need to play well defensively. The Celtics have a lot of offensive firepower, and the Cavaliers will need to be able to slow them down if they want to win.
The Cavaliers will be facing a tough test against the Celtics, but they have the talent to win. If they can play well together and execute their game plan, they will have a chance to pull off an upset.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Jayson Tatum vs. Donovan Mitchell: This is a matchup of two of the best young players in the league. Tatum is a versatile scorer who can create his own shot, while Mitchell is a dynamic scorer who can get to the rim or shoot from deep.
- Jaylen Brown (if healthy) vs. Isaac Okoro: Brown is one of the Celtics' best defenders, and he will be tasked with guarding Okoro, who is a rising star on the defensive end.
- Malcolm Brogdon vs. Darius Garland (if healthy): Brogdon is a good shooter and playmaker, and he will be looking to exploit any weakness in Garland's defense.
- Marcus Smart vs. Ricky Rubio: Smart is a defensive stalwart, and he will be looking to make life difficult for Rubio, who is a good passer and shooter.
Prediction
The Celtics are the better team on paper, but the Cavaliers have the talent to pull off an upset. If Mitchell can get going and the Cavaliers can play well defensively, they will have a chance to win. However, the Celtics are the more experienced team, and they should be able to win this game if they play to their potential.
Celtics 110, Cavaliers 105