The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 125-103, at TD Garden on Wednesday evening.

The Celtics (30-18) walked into battle short a couple of key soldiers, as both Kyrie Irving (illness) and Al Horford (rest) were unavailable. Their absences may have played a part in the slim 30-27 deficit faced at the end of the first quarter. However, Boston roared back to take control for good in the second and entered intermission with a 65-50 lead. While the Cavaliers (9-40) chipped a modest three points off that advantage in the third, the hosts made sure any thoughts of a comeback were squashed by winning the final period with a commanding 33-23 margin. Shooting and opportunistic defense were both key to the wins, as the Celtics drained 52.9 percent of their attempts and forced 20 turnovers from Cleveland.

Cedi Osman led the way for the Cavaliers with 25 points, adding eight rebounds and two assists. Ante Zizic produced 19 points and eight rebounds. Collin Sexton supplied 16 points, five boards and three assists. Jordan Clarkson led the bench with 14 points, while Alec Burks stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.

Terry Rozier did a fine job filling in for Irving, as he paced the Celtics with 26 points and also contributed eight rebounds, six assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown poured in 23 points and added six boards and one steal. Gordon Hayward pitched in 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals. Jayson Tatum registered 17 points, three assists, two rebounds and three steals. Marcus Morris and Brad Wanamaker churned out matching 11-point, three-assist tallies.

The Cavaliers head back home and take on the Miami Heat on Friday evening, while the Celtics remain home and tangle with the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.