CLEVELAND — Jaylen Brown delivered when the Celtics needed him most in Game 4. The All-Star hit a clutch 3-point shot with 1:09 remaining in regulation to help give the visitors an eight-point lead, which Boston rode to a 109-102 victory in Game 4.
Brown was particularly fired up after the key make following a Cavs timeout, barking at one official before being pulled away to the bench by Joe Mazzulla. Brown explained what led to his anger after the win.
“Tyler (Ford), the official who was running down the sideline, I don’t think he was paying attention but he was like in the play,” Brown said. “As I’m lifting up, I got bumped into him first, I had to push him out the way to catch the ball to be able to knock down shot. He was like an extra defender right there because he was in the way so that’s why I was talking, telling him to get his ass out the way.”
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A video review of the play confirms Brown’s suspicion that Brown had to shove Ford out of his way a mere second before receiving a pass from Jayson Tatum. Incredibly, Brown hit the shot despite a solid Cavs contest but that didn’t hold the Celtics star from holding back on the official during the dead ball.
“I guess he didn’t know what I was talking about but I thought he had an effect on the play,” Brown said. “I’ll have to watch it but, I’m lifting because I wanted to get JT space and I’m lifting on that wing and as I’m coming up, I bumped into Tyler on the floor. On a possession of importance like that, that makes a big difference, bumping into the official while you’re trying to get the spacing and get an open look. You gotta be aware I thought, but it’s all good. The shot went in, we win the game so probably a non-story.”
The sequence was just one aspect of an eventful night for Brown who also got into an altercation with Max Strus that led to a video review. Brown drew heavy boos from the Cavs crowd for the remainder of the contest after getting tied up with Stus on the ground but played well despite the adversity. He overcame foul trouble to score 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field but also had a team-high five turnovers.
Brown is shooting 60 percent from the field in the series through four games while averaging 26 points per game.
“I just see me being aggressive,” Brown said.” I don’t think anybody over there could really guard me. Just getting to the paint, and take my time. And I feel like the s*** I’ve been doing has not just (been) in the playoffs, but all season long. So I just get to my spots and just do whatever.”
Brown and the Celtics will look to close out the shorthanded Cavs in Game 5 on Wednesday night back at TD Garden.
