Celtics Blow Out Cavs In Game 1

Why do people keep doubting the Boston Celtics? 

That seems like a fair question to ask, following Boston's dominant 108-83 take down of the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday afternoon at the TD Garden.

The C's jumped out to a big lead early and the game was never really in doubt. After just one quarter, Boston was on top 36-18, having held the Cavs to a dismal 7-22 from the field and 0-6 from 3-point range.

The C's expanded their lead to over 30 points for a time in the second quarter, before heading to the halftime break up 26 points and completely in control.

Despite a strong third quarter for Cleveland, which saw the Cavs outscore Boston by 12 points, the C's headed to the fourth quarter up 14.

In the fourth, the Boston defense continued to dominate, holding Cleveland under 20 points in the quarter for the third time in four frames.

On the game, the C's had three starters score 20 points or more, including Jaylen Brown (23), Al Horford (20) and new addition to the starting rotation Marcus Morris (21). The only Boston starter held under double digits was Terry  Rozier, who had eight points on the night.

On the flip side, Cleveland's starters were ice cold throughout the game. The combination of LeBron James, Keving Love, Kyle Korver, George Hill and J.R. Smith shot a measly 33 percent from the field, totaling just 46 points with only Love (17) and James (15) scoring in double figures.

Boston bullied James and the Cavaliers in almost every aspect of the game, shooting nearly 20 percent better than them from the field, over 20 percent better from three, out rebounding them by eight and dishing out nine more assists.

In all, the C's, and their fans, couldn't have asked for a better start to the series. The Cavs will likely bounce back from an offensive stand point and James will almost certainly take a more aggressive approach when the two teams next hit the court. Celtics coach Brad Stevens has been great at adjusting to what his opponents are trying to do, however. Getting a 1-0 lead is huge for the scrappy C's, who always seem to find themselves as underdogs.