Jaylen Brown has scored 32 points, Derrick White made seven three-pointers and added 25, and Boston powered past Cleveland 120-95 in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series.
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Jayson Tatum finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds to help the Celtics pull away in the second half on Wednesday (AEST).
The Cavaliers went 11 of 42 from outside and kept pace early. But the hosts were even more efficient from beyond the arc at TD Garden, connecting on 18 of 46 attempts.
It helped Boston carry a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter. They then started the final period on a 10-2 run to increase their lead to 102-79.
Donovan Mitchell had 33 points and six assists for the Cavs. He is the fourth player in league history to score 30 or more points in six straight playoff series openers, joining Michael Jordan (three times), Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain.
White picked up where he left off after scoring 38 and 25 points in the final two games against Miami in the first round.
With Cleveland hot from the three-point line early, White led Boston's attack. It was his third time this post-season with at least six threes.
The top-seeded Celtics got an extended break after making quick work of the Heat in the first round. They looked like a rested team, jumping out to a 12-2 lead, with nine of those points coming from Brown.
Mitchell was just as aggressive for the Cavaliers, scoring eight points during a 21-9 spurt by the visitors to nudge back in front.
But Boston settled down, closing the opening period on a 19-11 run to take a 40-34 edge into the second before ending it up 59-49.
Australian Associated Press
