Less than three weeks ago, when the Celtics and Cavaliers met at the Garden, Cleveland was on a roll: unbeaten in 15 games, surprising the rest of the league and threatening Boston for supremacy heading into this 2024-25 season.

The Celtics quickly burst that bubble, defeating the Cavs 120-117.

Now, as Boston travels to Cleveland for Sunday’s game, the Cavaliers are on the other end of things – trying to avoid a three-game losing streak after a tough Thanksgiving week. Cleveland allowed the Hawks 135 points in a loss on Wednesday (thanks in large part to Trae Young’s 20-point, 22-assist performance) and then lost again to Atlanta on Friday in Georgia.

But the Celtics are dealing with some injuries that could hurt their chances. Jaylen Brown (no Covid illness) is out, as is Derrick White, who left Friday’s game against the Bulls with a right ankle sprain.

Al Horford (left big toe sprain), Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) and Jrue Holiday (right adductor strain) are available.

Here is your preview.

When: Sunday, 6 p.m

Where: Rocket Mortgage Field House, Cleveland

TV, radio: NBA TV, NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -1.5. O/U: 233.5.

Celts

Season balance: 16-3. vs. distribution: 8-11. Over/Under: 10-8, 1 push

Last 10 games: 9-1. vs. distribution: 3-7. Over/Under: 6-4

CAVALIER

Season balance: 17-3. vs. distribution: 14-6. Over/Under: 13-7

Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/Under: 6-4

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Boston 121.2, Cleveland 122.4

Points allowed per game: Boston 110.6, Cleveland 112.6

Field goal percentage: Boston .464, Cleveland .511

Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .467, Cleveland .460

3-point percentage: Boston .378, Cleveland .402

Opponent’s 3-point percentage: Boston .344, Cleveland .385

Statistics of the day: The Cavaliers ranked 20th a season ago with 112.6 points per game. In their first season under Kenny Atkinson, they led the NBA with 122.4 points.

Notes: The Cavaliers are looking to get back on track against a Celtics team that is on a seven-game winning streak. The Celtics, who averaged the NBA’s second-highest points per game at 121.2, ended their streak with 139 points in a loss at Brooklyn on Nov. 13 and 138 points in a win on Friday at Chicago. … In Friday’s NBA Cup win, Boston also had a great performance from Payton Pritchard off the bench. His 29 points (19 in the fourth quarter) followed a 20-point effort in the Celtics’ 126-94 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. “The key to him is that he finds different ways to influence games. “He has developed as a player throughout his career,” said Mazzulla. “He is a complete player. I know it sounds strange, but he’s one of the best three-level scorers I’ve ever seen for his size, and he’s just a high-level competitor.” … With 15.6 points per game Pritchard is one of five Celtics to average more than 12 points, along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown (24.7), Derrick White (18.3) and Jrue Holiday (12.1).

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

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Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @k8tmac.