Celtics’ bad luck continues against Cavs

Anderson Varejao scored 14 points, while Eric Snow and Damon Jones each netted 12 points for the Cavaliers, who won despite the absence of LeBron James, and who have already locked up the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Tony Allen scored a game-high 23 points and Gerald Green tallied 17 points and five rebounds for the Celtics, who have now lost five straight games.

Cleveland assumed control of the game as it embarked on a 19-0 run midway through the third quarter. Ronald Murray and Varejao combined to score 13 points during the spurt, which was capped by Murray’s layup with 4:52 to go in the stanza, giving the Cavs a 20-point lead, 75-55. Cleveland outscored Boston 34-14 in the quarter.

Boston only got as close as five the rest of the way, as it scored eight of the last 10 points to end the game, but it was never really in the game after the third quarter, despite outscoring the Cavs 25-11 in the final frame.

Allen scored nine first-quarter points as Boston held a one-point edge, 26-25, after 12 minutes of play. They maintained their lead after two frames, 49-48, as they scored seven of the final nine points of the half.

Game Notes

Cleveland swept the season series 4-0 over Boston with the win...Drew Gooden left the game with a left groin strain and did not return for Cleveland...The Cavaliers connected on 23-of-29 free throws while Boston hit only 9-of-18 from the charity stripe...The Cavs close out the regular season as they host Atlanta on Wednesday, while Boston will close out its season on Wednesday at home against Miami.