NBA Celtics vs Cavaliers: 5 Key Matchup Stats That Decided the Game

Walking into the TD Garden for a Celtics-Cavs matchup always feels electric, but this time was different. I’ve covered dozens of these games over the years, but watching Stephen Holt step onto that floor for his first two games at the state-of-the-art venue struck a chord with me. You could feel the weight of the moment—not just for him, but for how these individual stories so often shape the bigger picture. And that’s exactly what happened in this tightly contested battle. Let’s dive into five key matchup stats that, in my view, ultimately swung the game in Boston’s favor.

First, the battle on the boards. The Celtics outrebounded the Cavaliers 52–44, and while that might not sound like a landslide, it was the timing of those rebounds that told the real story. Cleveland had multiple possessions in the fourth quarter where they had a chance to cut the lead to one score, but Boston came up with three consecutive defensive rebounds in a span of just under two minutes. That kind of grit under pressure is what separates playoff-caliber teams from the rest. I’ve always believed that rebounding is as much about desire as it is about size, and tonight, the Celtics simply wanted it more. Jayson Tatum alone grabbed 14 rebounds—a number that feels almost routine for him now, but shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Then there’s the three-point discrepancy. Boston shot 41.2% from beyond the arc, compared to Cleveland’s 33.3%. On the surface, that’s an 8-point difference in efficiency, but when you break it down possession by possession, the impact was even greater. The Cavs went 0-for-7 from deep during a critical stretch in the third quarter, while the Celtics knocked down 5 of their 9 attempts during that same window. That 15-point swing didn’t just pad the lead—it fundamentally shifted Cleveland’s defensive approach, forcing them to overcommit on the perimeter and opening up driving lanes. As someone who’s watched this Celtics team evolve, I can’t stress enough how their shooting opens up everything else.

Turnovers were another deciding factor. The Cavaliers coughed up the ball 16 times, leading to 22 points for Boston. Now, some of that was self-inflicted—a few lazy passes, some miscommunication in the half-court—but a lot of it was Boston’s defensive activity. They recorded 9 steals, with Marcus Smart accounting for 4 of those. I’ve always admired Smart’s ability to disrupt rhythm, and tonight was a masterclass. Every time Darius Mitchell tried to get into the paint, there was a hand in the passing lane or a deflection waiting. Those little moments add up, and by the end of the night, Cleveland’s offense looked hesitant, almost second-guessing itself.

The fourth stat that stood out to me was bench scoring. Boston’s reserves outscored Cleveland’s 38–24, and a huge part of that was Grant Williams dropping 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. He provided exactly the spark they needed when the starters were struggling to find their rhythm early in the second quarter. On the flip side, Cleveland’s bench looked disjointed. Caris LeVert, usually so reliable, went just 3-for-11 from the field. I’ve seen this story before—when your second unit can’t keep the ship afloat, the starters end up carrying too heavy a load, and fatigue sets in late. That’s precisely what happened here.

Finally, let’s talk about free throws. The Celtics attempted 28 free throws and made 23 of them, while the Cavaliers shot just 16, making 12. That’s an 11-point advantage from the charity stripe—a massive margin in a game that was decided by just 8 points. Some of that comes down to aggression; Boston attacked the rim relentlessly, especially in transition. But I also think the officiating played a role, whether Cavs fans want to hear it or not. A couple of those no-calls on drives by Donovan Mitchell felt questionable, and in a game this close, those moments linger.

Watching Stephen Holt experience his first two games at TD Garden reminded me why I love this sport—it’s not just about the stars, but about all the smaller narratives unfolding within the game. In the end, Boston’s edge in rebounding, three-point shooting, turnovers, bench production, and free throws made the difference. Could Cleveland have won if one of those areas tilted their way? Absolutely. But tonight, the Celtics executed when it mattered, and sometimes, that’s all it takes.