Rozier steals show
Leads Celtics past Cavaliers, 102-88
BOSTON — One by one, the Boston Celtics lined up to embrace Isaiah Thomas.
The next time they see their former teammate, he probably won't be in a hoodie after watching the game from the bench. And it won't be so easy. Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes, stealing the spotlight from Thomas, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals and leading the Celtics to a 102-88 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Thomas received a standing ovation from the Boston fans but did not play one night after making his season debut in a return from a hip injury. Rozier made sure to pay his respects, and Thomas told the third-year Celtics guard he was proud of him.
"When I first came in the league, that's a guy that I watched a lot. The little things he did on and off the court. Like a big brother to me," Rozier said. "Just to hear those words from him, I'm happy that he's on his way back — so I can guard him in February."
Rozier scored the last eight Boston points of the first quarter to give the Celtics an 11-point lead, and had another eight in a row midway through the fourth when they expanded the lead to 21. Marcus Smart and Jayson Tatum had 15 points apiece, and Irving and Al Horford each had 11 points and nine rebounds to help Boston to its fourth straight win.
James had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 8-for-15 shooting — the only starter to make more than half of his shots on a team that scored a season-low 88 points. AP