Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats (Feb 28, 2025): 22-Point Comeback

The Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats reveal one of the most thrilling NBA comebacks this season.

The Cavaliers erased a massive 22-point deficit to stun the home crowd at TD Garden on February 28, 2025, winning 123-116. This victory becomes even more impressive considering Cleveland did it against the Eastern Conference’s second-place team.

The Cavaliers have shown similar resilience against other Eastern powerhouses this season, reminiscent of their earlier victory against the 76ers. Let’s examine how this remarkable turnaround unfolded against Boston.

The Tale of Two Teams: Quarter by Quarter

The game started with Boston in complete control:

• Q1: Celtics 38, Cavaliers 26
• Q2: Celtics 36, Cavaliers 38 (Halftime: Boston 74, Cleveland 64)
• Q3: Celtics 24, Cavaliers 31 (End Q3: Boston 98, Cleveland 95)
• Q4: Celtics 18, Cavaliers 28 (Final: Cleveland 123, Boston 116)

That fourth quarter tells you everything.

Boston scored just 18 points when it mattered most.

Cleveland dropped 28 to complete the comeback.

Donovan Mitchell: Mr. Fourth Quarter

Mitchell proved why he’s one of the NBA’s elite closers with these impressive stats:

• 41 points on efficient 13/26 shooting (50%)
• 5/13 from three point range (41.7%)
• Nearly perfect from the line: 10/11 free throws
• 12 crucial points in the fourth quarter
• Game deciding three-point play with under 2 minutes left

Mitchell’s clutch gene was on full display in the closing minutes, hitting a go-ahead floater and converting a critical three-point play that extended Cleveland’s lead to 119-114 with just 1:57 remaining. This sequence came immediately after Brown’s missed opportunity to give Boston the lead.

What made Mitchell’s performance even more remarkable was his ability to maintain efficiency despite being the clear focal point of Boston’s defense. While Tatum needed 37 shots for his 46 points, Mitchell’s 41 points came on just 26 attempts—a testament to his shot selection and decision-making under pressure.

Tatum’s Historic Night Goes to Waste

Poor Jayson Tatum. The Celtics star delivered one of the most complete statistical performances in recent memory:

• 46 points on 19/37 shooting
• 16 rebounds (5 offensive)
• 9 assists (just missing a triple-double)
• 3 blocks and 1 steal
• 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the first half alone

His first half numbers were unprecedented in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98). According to the game analysis, Tatum was involved in approximately 57% of Boston’s total points, either scoring or assisting.

Despite this historic performance, the Celtics couldn’t close the deal. This game joins other notable Celtics performances this season, including their matchup against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden where Boston similarly saw strong individual efforts overshadowed by team results.

The Secret Heroes: Cleveland’s Bench

The most stunning revelation from the detailed box score comes from the plus/minus column.

Cleveland’s bench absolutely dominated Boston’s reserves:

• Ty Jerome: +34 plus minus in just 21 minutes (best in game)
• De’Andre Hunter: 12 points on 4/6 shooting, perfect 3/3 from deep, +21
• Sam Merrill: +22 in 18 minutes
• Dean Wade: +12 in 19 minutes

Meanwhile, Boston’s bench struggled mightily:

• Sam Hauser: 0 points (0/3 FG), -13 in 10 minutes
• Payton Pritchard: 6 points on 2/7 shooting, -11 in 18 minutes

The collective plus minus tells the story:

• Cleveland bench: +92
• Boston bench: -18

That’s a 110 point swing when the reserves were on the court!

The Fourth Quarter Collapse

The final period told the entire story of this contest. What caused Boston’s fourth quarter meltdown? The game statistics paint a clear picture:

• Shooting: Boston 33.3% (7/21) vs Cleveland 45.5% (10/22)
• Three point shooting: Boston 22.2% (2/9) vs Cleveland 33.3% (3/9)
• Free throws: Boston 2/3 vs Cleveland perfect 5/5
• Turnovers: Boston 3 vs Cleveland 2

Boston’s offence completely stagnated when it mattered most. Their shot selection grew increasingly desperate as Cleveland applied pressure. The Cavaliers’ defensive intensity forced Boston into contested jumpers rather than the fluid ball movement that built their early lead.

Jaylen Brown briefly gave Boston hope with consecutive baskets to tie the game at 114, but he missed a potential go-ahead shot that proved costly, as Mitchell immediately responded with his decisive three-point play. This sequence with under two minutes remaining effectively sealed the outcome.

Beyond the Box Score: Key Stats That Decided the Match

According to the official game report, these team stats proved decisive:

• Points in the paint: Cleveland 46, Boston 34
• Turnovers: Cleveland 8, Boston 11
• Personal fouls: Cleveland 14, Boston 19

Cleveland’s ball security (only 8 turnovers) was exceptional for a road team facing a championship contender.

Their ability to match Boston’s three point shooting (both teams: 17/39, 43.6%) neutralised the Celtics’ typical advantage from beyond the arc. This parity from deep forced Boston to find other ways to score, where they ultimately fell short.

What This Means Going Forward

This win improved Cleveland’s record to 50-10, strengthening their grip on the East’s top seed. The CBS Sports game tracker notes this victory came despite Boston building a commanding lead that peaked at 22 points.

Boston fell to 42-19 and an uncharacteristic 18-11 at home, raising questions about their ability to protect their home court in the playoffs.

For Cleveland, this comeback victory demonstrates they possess the depth, resilience and star power needed for a championship run. Their bench outscoring Boston’s reserves by such a wide margin proves they can win even when starters struggle.

For Boston, serious questions remain about their bench reliability and ability to close games. Even Tatum’s historic performance wasn’t enough to overcome their fourth quarter collapse.

The Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers match player stats exposed critical strengths and weaknesses that will shape each team’s playoff aspirations.

FAQs About Celtics vs Cavaliers

Who was the leading scorer in the Celtics vs Cavaliers game? Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 46 points for Boston, while Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 41 points.

How big was the Cavaliers’ comeback against the Celtics? The Cavaliers overcame a 22 point deficit to win 123-116.

Which player had the best plus minus in the Celtics vs Cavaliers game? Ty Jerome of the Cavaliers had the best plus minus with +34 in just 21 minutes.

How many rebounds did Jayson Tatum have against the Cavaliers? Tatum grabbed 16 rebounds (5 offensive, 11 defensive).

Who was more efficient, Mitchell or Tatum? Mitchell was slightly more efficient, shooting 50% from the field compared to Tatum’s 51.4%, but taking 11 fewer shots.

What was the Cavaliers’ record after beating the Celtics? Cleveland improved to 50-10 after defeating Boston.

How many points did both teams score in the critical fourth quarter? Cleveland outscored Boston 28-18 in the fourth quarter.

Did Evan Mobley record a double double against the Celtics? Yes, Mobley recorded his 27th double double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds.