For the second series in a row, the Celtics followed a Game 1 win with a lackluster defensive effort in Game 2.
Boston had its worst defensive performance of the postseason in Thursday night’s 118-94 loss to the Cavaliers. It was just the second time in seven postseason games that the Celtics had given up more than 100 points.
Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said the lapse had more to do with Boston’s effort than its strategy.
“I think it was just a little bit of effort and concentration,” Holiday said. “Not concentrating on the things we had gone over in the game plan and not executing.