Cavaliers’ winning streak stopped at 15 after loss to Celtics

Cleveland’s undefeated streak was stopped at 15 after they lost 120-117 to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night in their NBA Cup showdown.

The defending champion Celtics were a mountain too high for the Cavaliers, as they fired away from long-range hitting 54 per cent of their three-pointers en route to the win.

Jayson Tatum in particular was on a roll, as the Celtics superstar led the way with 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell did his best for the Cavaliers with 35 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Despite the loss, the Cavaliers still sit atop the East with a 15-1 record with the Celtics on their tail at 12-3.

Their streak falls short of the 24-win season-opening record set by the Golden State Warriors in the 2015-16 season. However, Cleveland’s 15-game streak was enough to tie the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and the 1948-49 Washington Capitols for second on the all-time list.

The Cavaliers return to Cleveland after the loss for a three-game homestand that starts Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.