Tatum scores 23 as Celtics beat Cavs

CLEVELAND — Jayson Tatum scored 23 points and Dennis Schroder had six points in the final 76 seconds as the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-92 on Monday night, splitting their two-game set at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Al Horford had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Schroder and Marcus Smart each scored 14 as Boston (7-7) won for the third time in four games. Tatum also had eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

On Saturday, Darius Garland made two free throws with 9.4 seconds left as Cleveland rallied from a 19-point deficit in a 91-89 win over Boston. Both teams played their third game in four nights.

Ricky Rubio scored 26 of his 28 points in the second half and Cedi Osman had 26 points and five assists off the bench for the Cavaliers (9-6), who have won six of eight.

Cleveland rookie Evan Mobley missed all 11 of his field goal attempts and finished with one point, nine rebounds and five assists before heading into the locker room for undisclosed reasons early in the fourth quarter.

The Cavaliers appeared to take a 90-88 lead with 1:51 left, but Denzel Valentine’s back foot was out of bounds on a 3-pointer. Schroder made back-toback baskets to extend

Boston’s advantage to 94-89, then tacked on two free throws to close out the scoring.

Mobley, the third overall draft selection from USC, started at center for the first time after top rebounder Jarrett Allen fell ill before the game.

TEMPORARY SERVICE

Schroder averaged 26.5 points in his first four starts filling in for injured G Jaylen Brown, but coach Ime Udoka said Schroder will return to a bench role once Brown returns. “We like our regular starting lineup,” Udoka explained. “Dennis is a pseudo sixth starter for us, coming off the bench and finishing games.” Brown missed his fifth game with a strained right hamstring, but went through some drills earlier in the day.

TIP-INS

Celtics: C Enes Kanter only appeared in two of Boston’s first 13 games — totaling 10 minutes — and tweeted a flip-card animation with the caption, “Keep limiting me on the court, I will expose you off the court.” Udoka said he talked with the outspoken Kanter about the post, telling him playing time is awarded for basketball reasons only. . G Brodric Thomas (left shoulder sprain) has not played this season.

UP NEXT

Celtics: Visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Cavaliers: Visit the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.