The Celtics were on top of the world as TD Garden buzzed just five minutes into the game. The C’s ambushed the Cavs as they sprinted ahead 25-3 early, putting the first-place Cavs in a huge hole before fans were even settled into their seats.

The shorthanded Celtics ran out of gas on Friday night, squandering a 22-point lead to the Cavaliers despite monster offensive performances from Jayson Tatum (46 points)and Jaylen Brown (37 points). Donovan Mitchell (41 points) and Evan Mobley (11 points,