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The last time the Boston Celtics took the court, they had an embarrassing outing. The defending champs took on the red-hot Detroit Pistons and suffered a 20-point blowout loss. So, it’s safe to say that the team has a lot to prove. And the challenge in front of them isn’t anything casual. It’s a serious affair, taking on the table-topper, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Do the Cs have the necessary assets to take the Cavs? (Or the other Cs? C’mon, you got to admit it has a nice ring to it!) Is Jaylen Brown available for action?

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In the last game, the Celts stepped on the floor without JB, who was ruled out moments before the game with a left thigh contusion. Reportedly, Brown took a knee to his left thigh during the Tuesday night game against the Toronto Raptors. Even though the reigning Finals MVP clocked back in after the brief pause, the team ruled him out after the trip to Detroit.

Speaking to the reporters after the blow, Coach Joe Mazzulla dropped a concerning statement, saying, “He’s feeling a little bit better, but he was pretty banged up from last night… So, we were just doing what is best for him.” Looks like Jaylen Brown hasn’t recovered in time for the crucial contest. The team once again listed him in the Questionable category along with two other names.

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Big man Luke Kornet, who had shown promising signs offensively, has been out for the last two games for personal reasons. He might miss tonight’s game as well. Apart from him, Jrue Holiday has joined the list with a fresh finger injury from the Pistons game. So, what do you think? Can the short-handed Celtics take on the Cavs? 

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Jaylen Brown & Co. vs Cavaliers: Starting Lineup and Depth Chart 

Boston has had quite a few surprises this season, losing on the most unexpected games. For example, they lost against the inexperienced Hawks without Trae Young. At the same time, whenever it’s a much-anticipated contest, the team shows up. In the regular season series against the Cavs, the C’s have a 2-1 lead.

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So, tonight’s game is the last one in the tank. The defending champs have the perfect chance to seal it with a win. While there’s skepticism about Jaylen Brown’s availability, Jayson Tatum has to step up for the team tonight.

The Boston Celtics

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STARTING LINEUPSECOND UNITTHIRD UNIT
PGDerrick WhiteJD Davison
SGPayton PritchardBaylor Scheierman
SFSam HauserJordan Walsh
PFJayson TatumAl HorfordDrew Peterson
CKristaps PorzingisNeemias QuettaXavier Tillman

The Cleveland Cavaliers

STARTING LINEUPSECOND UNITTHIRD UNIT
PGDarius GarlandTy JeromeCraig Porter Jr.
SGDonovan MitchellSam MerillIsaac Okaro
SFMax StrussDe’Andre HunterJavonte Green
PFEvan MobleyDean Wade
CJarrett AllenTristan ThompsonNae’Qwan Tomlin

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The Cavs have a healthy roster with no names on the injury report. The team riding on the opportunity to produce the franchise’s best regular season record. It’s a pleasing sight inching closer to the playoffs. So, the goal is pretty simple. Play hard and win the game. Pretty simple, indeed.

Who do you think will win tonight? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

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Shahul Hameed

2,974 Articles

Shahul Hameed is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Master's Degree in journalism from a distinguished institute, his journey into sports writing began during his college days, and since then, Shahul has been captivated not only by the remarkable consistency of Stephen Curry but also by the enduring legacy of LeBron James. He specializes in covering the live basketball action. When games aren’t on, beyond covering trade rumors and match reports, Shahul actively engages with fan bases, ensuring he is attuned to the ever-changing NBA landscape. His dedication to his craft finds an equal match in his admiration for the storytelling and cinematic brilliance of Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and Wes Anderson.

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Edited by

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Geisha Pulimoottil Don

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