Cavaliers 97, Celtics 91: Tristan Thompson collected career highs of 29 points and 17 rebounds as visiting Cleveland snapped a 10-game slide by holding off shorthanded Boston.

Alonzo Gee added 16 points and 10 boards and Wayne Ellington scored 12 points for the Cavaliers, who had dropped six straight road games.

Jeff Green had 23 points and Shavlik Randolph scored a career-high 16 off the bench as the Celtics fell for the eighth time in the last 11 games. Boston, which clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday, was without Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett due to ankle injuries.

The Celtics held a 62-55 lead with 8:12 left in the third quarter but made only two field goals the rest of the period. Cleveland took advantage of the drought and went into the final frame with a 74-68 edge.

Boston was within 91-87 after Green’s three-point play with 2:09 left before Tyler Zeller and Kyrie Irving scored on consecutive possessions to spread it back out. Thompson put it away with two free throws in the final minute.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Irving, playing in his third game since returning from a shoulder injury, struggled to 11 points on 4-of-20 shooting. … Boston remained 2 1/2 games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 7 spot in the East. … Garnett and Pierce could both return as soon as Sunday, when the Celtics host the Washington Wizards.