Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) shoots a foul shot in front of teammate Drew Peterson (13) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) late in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) AP

Payton Pritchard jumps too quickly off the free throw line, turning the ball over and putting the Cavaliers in position to win.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla could have inserted Pritchard into the starting lineup for Sunday’s showdown with the Cavaliers after Derrick White (foot) and Jaylen Brown (illness) were scratched, but with Pritchard meshing well with the second unit and emerging as a top bench scorer,

Donovan Mitchell scores 20 points in the fourth quarter during the Cleveland Cavaliers' win over the Boston Celtics.

Cleveland Cavaliers defeat Boston Celtics 115-111, ending their seven-game winning streak. Donovan Mitchell shines with 35 points.

The 16-3 Boston Celtics are in Cleveland to take on the 17-3 Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, December 1, looking to extend their winning streak to eight games, after defeating the Chicago Bulls on Friday in NBA Cup play.

As the calendar flipped from November to December, the 2024 NBA Cup is close to advancing to its quarterfinal stage. The event has created excitement in an otherwise mundane part of the six-month schedule.

The Arizona Republic's latest NBA power rankings have the Cleveland Cavaliers back on top after taking down the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.