Mobley's moment: In service at center, Cavs big man impresses

CLEVELAND — This could very well be Evan Mobley's coming-of-age moment. Pressed into action at center with the rib injury to Jarrett Allen, Mobley continues to mature before the national media's probing eyes in the postseason. The Cavaliers shocked the NBA world Thursday in the Eastern Conference semifinal series, slamming the Boston Celtics 118-94 in Game 2 in TD Garden to even the best-of-seven series at 1. They are coming home for what will likely be a raucous Game 3 tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland has yet to lose at home in the postseason and has credited the boisterous fan base for a needed assist. Five-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell once again led the way with a game-high 29 points and eight assists, but even he pointed out the yeoman effort of the 7-foot, 215-pound Mobley, who finished with a career-playoff-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and a steal. Both teams are playing without their starting centers. Boston doesn't have 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis, who is suffering from a calf injury, and Cleveland is missing the 6-11 Allen. The Celtics have been starting 37-year-old Al Horford at center, even though he spends much of his time at the 3-point line. Mobley is averaging 19 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 blocks and shooting .630 from the field (17-for-27) in the Celtics series. He recorded his fifth double-double of the postseason and seventh of his career Thursday and has blocked at least one shot in all nine playoff games in 2024, including 13 in a row dating to last year. Mobley is the second player in NBA history age 22 or younger with a block in 13 consecutive games (Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka did it twice). He is tied with LeBron James for second place in franchise history with at least one block in 13 games in a row and trails only Larry Nance's all-time mark of 23. Mobley is tied with Oklahoma City center Chet Holmgren for first in the NBA with 2.67 blocks per game in the postseason. Also, his seven career playoff double-doubles are tied with Drew Gooden (2005-07) for ninth place in team history. Boston's 24-point loss in Game 2 was its worst loss at TD Garden since Oct. 22, 2021 vs. Toronto. It was also the Celtics' fifth-largest loss in playoff history and worst since May 25, 2017 vs. Cleveland (133-102). Cleveland held Boston to 94 points, something that happened just once during the regular season for the Celtics. It was also the first time they've been held to fewer than 100 points in the playoffs this year. Despite being blown out of the gym in Game 1, the Cavs are right back in the series. "It gave us more time for us to prepare, more preparation," Cleveland backup center Tristan Thompson said. "We got some more time, more film. "We have to stay locked in and stay poised." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.