Cavs vs Celtics: The Electric Game 7 that Shattered Boston in 2018 and Rewrote Eastern Conference Lore

In a moment etched in playoff lore, the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics culminated in one of the most electric Game 7 in NBA history—where flawed effort, relentless intensity, and historic pointe collided under cumulative pressure. The game wasn’t just a contest; it was a collision of cultures and legacies, a defining chapter in the long, storied rivalry between two flagship franchises of Boston and Cleveland. What unfolded on the court that April night transformed expectations into a seismic upset, proving that even the most entrenched dynasties can fall when rhythm is broken.

The stage was set in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals, a rematch of prior regular-season and playoff brush rallies. The Cavaliers, buoyed by James Harden’s proficient yet inconsistent scoring and key contributions from Kevin Love, entered Game 7 trailing odds-on by 14 points. Their opponent, the veteran Celtics, anchored by Jayson Tatum’s explosive playmaking and Kristaps Porzingis’s defensive presence, entered with a mission: closure.

Defensive Struggles and Early Turmoil

From the tip-of-the-clock, defensive lapses became apparent. The Cavs, overwhelmed by Boston’s aggressive perimeter pressure, committed 21 turnover-related fouls by halftime—disrupting rhythm and enabling momentum shifts the Celtics seized. “Cleveland couldn’t contain the speed of Tatum,” noted SportsCenter analyst Taylor Rogers, “and every time they forced a shot, Boston cut off.

That’s psychological warfare.” Porzingis, playing with a sprained ankle, shouldered defensive load alone, logging 28 minutes and averaging 12 rebounds—yet limited by pain and Celtics’ perimeter shots. Meanwhile, Tatum combined with Al Horford and Gordon Hayward to dominate picks and rolls, slicing the Cavs’ scoring bandwidth. By the third quarter, Boston dominated the board with a 38–15 run, slipping Cleveland’s lead from 14 to zero.

The High-Octane Third Quarter That Redefined Momentum

The tide transformed as the Celtics exploded in the third, showcasing fluid isolation plays and lethal threes. Tatum orchestrated fast breaks with relentless precision, spinning out passers and finding open shooters. Porzingis doubled as rim protector and scorer, completing 5-of-8 from the arc.

The Cavaliers’ traditional zone defense, once a fortress, unraveled under the Celtics’ inside-out attack. Game stats reflect the shift: Boston shot 59% from the field (22-of-37), while Cleveland hover at 48%. Yet Boston’s efficiency—38% three-point—allowed them to force turnovers and generate easy layups.

Harden, stretched thin, managed just 16 points on 7-of-25 shooting, his syndrome compounding Cleveland’s inability to contain the Celtics’ inside game. Key Moment: Horford’s Defensive Anchoring and Celtics’ Pacing ≥のコメント: > Kristaps Porzingis, despite injury, became the emotional and physical core of Boston’s late-game surge. His 14 rebounds and 10 assists reigned supreme, earning him All-Playoff Selection and signaling his emergence as a defensive linchpin.

Ha-da—notably, Jayson Tatum altered his offensive tempo, helping reset Boston’s rhythm during critical stretches. His ability to elevate teammates, even with a shoulder injury, underscored his leadership.