Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Feb. 4 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Boston Celtics (35-15) will try to gain ground on the Eastern Conference leading Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9) on Tuesday. After two closely fought games, the third meeting between the two teams is expected to be more of the same seesaw battle. The Celtics, who have a clean bill of health, could take a 2-1 lead in the season series with a win.

Unlike the Celtics, the home team has multiple key players in the injury report. Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro, two solid defenders, are unavailable. The Cavaliers, though, have their core superstars to carry the team.

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Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report

Boston Celtics injury report

JD Davison and Anton Watson did not travel to Cleveland following their G League assignments.

Cleveland Cavaliers injury report

JT Thor, Emoni Bates and Luke Travers will not suit up as they have been assigned to play in the G League.

Dean Wade (knee) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder) are out.

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Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Boston Celtics starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Derrick White	Payton Pritchard
Jrue Holiday	Baylor Scheierman	Jaden Springer
Jaylen Brown	Sam Hauser	Jordan Walsh
Jayson Tatum	Xavier Tillman
Kristaps Porzingis	Al Horford	Luke Kornet

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup and depth chart

Starters	2nd	3rd
Darius Garland	Craig Porter Jr.
Donovan Mitchell	Sam Merrill	Jaylon Tyson
Max Strus	Caris LeVert	Ty Jerome
Evan Mobley	Georges Niang
Jarrett Allen	Tristan Thompson

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Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Key matchups

Kristaps Porzingis vs Jarrett Allen

The Celtics are a different team when they have a healthy Kristaps Porzingis on the floor. He makes their offense more dynamic with his ability to hit shots from deep. Jarrett Allen, normally an inside operator, must be effective outside to challenge the Latvian’s long-range bombs.

On the other hand, the bruising Allen must test Porzingis in the post. If he can get the 7-foot-3 center in trouble, Cleveland’s rim attacks could flourish.

Jayson Tatum vs Evan Mobley

Cleveland often uses Dean Wade or Isaac Okoro to shadow Jayson Tatum. With both out, Evan Mobley must step up to guard the All-Star starter, particularly when Tatum attacks from the perimeter. Mobley isn’t as fast as Tatum, but has the length and defensive skills to make Taco Jay work for his shots.

Tatum is averaging 33.0 points in two games against Cleveland, making it crucial for Mobley to step up defensively.

Donovan Mitchell vs Jrue Holiday, Jrue Holiday or Jaylen Brown

Donovan Mitchell has largely been unstoppable against Boston’s vaunted perimeter defense. In two games against the defending champs, Spida is averaging 35.0 points. Cleveland often struggles when the explosive scorer doesn’t have his rhythm. It will be up to Jrue Holiday or Derrick White to slow him down.

Joe Mazzulla could also turn to Jaylen Brown, who is bigger than White and Holiday. Brown has become an elite defender, too, so Mazzulla has another weapon to throw at Mitchell.

Derrick White vs Darius Garland

Besides getting his shot at guarding Donovan Mitchell, Derrick White could also shuffle to take on Darius Garland. The newly-named All-Star guard is the engine that runs the Cavaliers offense. Again, it will be crucial for White to make it tough for Garland to orchestrate Cleveland’s top-ranked offense.