CLEVELAND — Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics with 22 points, while Derrick White contributed 20 in a tightly contested game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, resulting in a 112-105 victory on Tuesday night. This clash featured two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and the Celtics showcased their championship resilience down the final stretch.

The defending NBA champions executed their plays effectively in the closing minutes, maintaining control against the Cavaliers, who have only lost four times at home this season, a remarkable record for their 28 home games. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 19 points, and Jaylen Brown added 16 points along with nine rebounds, guiding Boston to its fourth consecutive win and improving their record to 2-1 for the season against Cleveland.

For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell was a standout performer, scoring 31 points, while Darius Garland supported with 25. Despite facing a significant 15-point deficit, the Cavaliers made a remarkable comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to just four points in the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, the Celtics showcased their composure, responding effectively during critical moments to seal the game.

Jarrett Allen was another bright spot for Cleveland, racking up 17 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, but the Cavaliers struggled overall.

**Takeaways**
The presence of Porzingis in the Celtics’ lineup has proven to be a challenging factor for defenses. The towering 7-foot-3 player, who missed last year’s playoff series against the Cavaliers due to injury, created mismatches that led to poor defensive switches for Cleveland. Conversely, All-Star Evan Mobley had an off-night, scoring only 7 points on 3 of 14 shooting, showing signs of struggle since his return from a calf injury, lacking his usual explosiveness.

**Key Moment**
A pivotal moment occurred late in the fourth quarter when, after the Cavaliers cut the lead to four, Derrick White hit a crucial jumper, which was quickly followed by two consecutive three-pointers, extending Boston’s lead to 107-97 with just 2:41 remaining on the clock.

**Key Stat**
The Cavaliers faced challenges from beyond the arc, starting the game with a dismal 1 of 14 on three-point attempts before finishing at 11 of 39, which translates to 28%. Remarkably, they had maintained a streak of hitting at least 10 three-pointers in 55 straight games prior to this matchup.

**Looking Ahead**
The Celtics will face off against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, who recently made headlines by acquiring Anthony Davis from the Lakers in a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers prepare to take on the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.