Brown, a four-time All-Star, also produced the only first half with 27 points, five boards, five assists and three steals since the NBA began tracking play-by-play data 28 years ago.
Queta continued his breakout season with his best game yet, returning to action six days after spraining his left ankle in a game against the Orlando Magic. The fifth-year center is averaging career highs of 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds this season.
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“We’re a different team when he’s on the floor,” Mazzulla said of Queta. “He’s getting better and is giving us a shot. Tonight, you saw a clear difference when he was out there to keep us in the ballgame.”
Can the Celtics respond with a win against the Cavaliers? Here’s the preview:
When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Cleveland -7. O/U: 231.5.
CELTICS
Season record: 10-9. vs. spread: 9-10. Over/under: 8-11
Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 4-6
CAVALIERS
Season record: 12-8. vs. spread: 6-14. Over/under: 9-11
Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 4-6
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 114.8, Cleveland 119.0
Points allowed per game: Boston 110.7, Cleveland 115.6
Field goal percentage: Boston .460, Cleveland .461
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .441, Cleveland .465
3-point percentage: Boston .357, Cleveland .352
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .364, Cleveland .365
Stat of the day: Brown became the second Celtics player with at least 40 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals in a game, joining Basketball Hall of Fame member Larry Bird, who accomplished it twice.
Notes: The Celtics rolled to a 125-105 home victory over the Cavaliers on Oct. 29, handing them their largest defeat of the season. That loss also stood as the low point of Cleveland’s campaign until Friday, when it was beaten 130-123 at the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers had their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen healthy and reunited for the game. Cleveland arrived in Atlanta holding the East wild card spot in the NBA Cup, but was eliminated from contention, despite a 42-point outburst by franchise player Mitchell and 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists from Mobley. … Cleveland has lost two in a row, fell out of a top-four spot in the conference and is a middling 4-5 on the road. Atlanta’s point total was the most allowed by the Cavaliers in regulation through 20 games. … Allen already has been declared out against the Celtics with his lingering right finger sprain and Lonzo Ball will rest his chronically injured left knee.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.
