BOSTON — While Marcus Morris Sr. played sparingly against the Celtics in the East semifinals, the Cavaliers needed to get production somewhere. With Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen out for Game 5 on Wednesday, there were shots and minutes to go around the Cavs roster.
So that’s where the 34-year-old veteran shined as he turned back the clock against his old team. Morris scored an efficient 25 points in his 34 minutes, shooting 10-for-13 from the field and going 5-for-6 on his 3-pointers. The C’s tried to pull away in the third quarter, but Morris had multiple huge buckets to keep the Cavs in the game.
It wasn’t quite enough as the Celtics won Game 5 113-98 over the Cavaliers, but Morris at least turned some heads as he turned back the clock. Morris, who spent two seasons in Boston from 2017-19, ended his season on a bright note despite the Cavs falling in five games to the C’s.
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“A couple years back, being a part of this team, with a lot of the guys that are still here now, they got some great players,” Morris said. “They got some dawgs. I think they’re definitely suited to make a good run. They get the big fella (Kristaps Porzingis) back, I think, they’ll be a problem.”
Morris was a midseason add by the Cavaliers after he was bought out from his contract. He started the year with his hometown 76ers but was moved at the trade deadline to the Spurs. He was waived from there, which allowed him to contribute to the playoff-contending Cavs for the rest of the year.
While Morris isn’t a huge nightly contributor on a game-by-game basis, he’s seen a lot of NBA action throughout his career. So he was at least able to give the Cavs a much-needed boost in Game 5 even if their season ended as they were shorthanded. Morris said he was impressed by the current version of the Celtics, praising them as bonafide title contenders.
“I honestly expected to play a little bit more, not just today but throughout the series,” Morris said. “I thought I could’ve helped the team affect the game a little bit more. But just being a veteran, staying ready. That’s always been me since I’ve been in the league — just staying ready, being professional. Then when my time’s called, being able to deliver and help the team.”
