Cleveland Cavaliers (8-7, fifth in the Eastern Conference) versus Boston Celtics (8-6, fourth in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Sunday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Boston hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers after Jaylen Brown scored 42 points in the Celtics’ loss to the 76ers, 122-110.
The Celtics are 7-6 in Eastern Conference games. Boston ranks sixth in the NBA with 11.1 offensive rebounds per game, led by Tristan Thompson with an average of 2.8 offensive boards.
The Cavaliers are 7-5 in conference games. Cleveland has a 6-0 record with 100 or more points.
The Celtics and Cavaliers will compete against each other on Sunday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brown averages 26.9 points, six rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Celtics. Marcus Smart has averaged 13.5 points, 4.9 assists and 1.5 steals in the last 10 games for Boston.
Collin Sexton leads the Cavaliers with 26.8 points and 2.4 rebounds. Andre Drummond averages 17.3 points and 13.8 rebounds while shooting 45.8% in the last 10 games for Cleveland.
LAST 10 MATCHES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 110.8 points, 45 rebounds, 22.9 assists, 8.4 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while 47.0% are shot from the field. Your opponents averaged 109 points at 45.1% shooting.
Cavaliers: 5-5, averaging 101.3 points, 43.8 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 9.2 steals, and 4.3 blocks per game, while 44.3% are shot from the field. Your opponents averaged 105.8 points at 46.5% shooting.
INJURIES: Celtics: Aaron Nesmith: out (back), Payton Pritchard: day to day (knee), Romeo Langford: out (right wrist), Carsen Edwards: out (health and safety protocols), Jayson Tatum: out (health and safety ) Protocols).
Cavaliers: Matthew Dellavedova: out (concussion), Kevin Love: out (calf).
