Playoff Preview/Live Thread: Cavs vs. Celtics, Game 2
2015-04-21
Ready for another one? After an off-day to enjoy the afterglow of their first playoff victory since 2010, the Cavs return poised and ready to try and turn the home court double play tonight at the Q, as they look to take Game 2 against the Celtics.
In game one, Kyrie, Kevin, Tristan and Delly all got to experience their first taste of playoff action, and they did not disappoint. Kyrie’s offensive explosion and awesome handle, KLove’s gritty defense and rebounding, TT’s dynamite energy and garbageman skills, and Delly’s hustle and heady play were all on full display in the Cavs 113-100 victory. Old head, LBJ, orchestrated the action, facilitating for the young fellas and preaching patience on the sidelines.
Yes, it was an impressive win for this group’s playoff debut, however, this is the playoffs, where nothing is given and everything is earned. Consequently, there’s still plenty for the Cavs to clean up as they take the floor for Game 2.
Boston started strong in Game 1, and the Cavs will need to work on finding a way to put the clamps on them early this time around. The Celtics had a degree of success with Isaiah Thomas running the pick and roll with Kelly Olynyk (as well as generally running amok against the Cavs guards). While Olynyk and even Tyler Zeller were active and hit a lot of shots early, Thomas was the straw that stirred the drink for the guys in green with 22 points and 10 assists.
During the off-day yesterday, it was announced that Thomas finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting to “Sweet” Lou Williams of the Raptors, cementing the fact that most teams had trouble staying with this 5’9 waterbug off the bench. Although, if you ask IT himself, he’ll tell you “numbers don’t lie” and the award should have his name on it.
Did Isaiah get robbed?
The Cavs own TnT (the “n” is silent) off the bench finished fifth in the voting. Tristan was pure Canadian Dynamite for the Cavs this season on the glass (eight rebounds per game, 14.4 RP48, and fifth in the NBA at 3.3 offensive rebounds per game), but voters typically show a propensity for giving consideration to more of the instant offense types as 6MOY.
Full results courtesy of NBA.com
The Cavs will also need to work on taking better care of the ball, as they got a bit sloppy in the second half of Game 1. After giving up the rock just four times in the first half, the Cavs turned it over twice as much in the second as the Celtics turned up their defensive intensity and got back to their ball-hawking ways (with five more steals) to claw their way back into the game late. Smart money is on Boston going back to that well in Game 2 with gusto.
I’m thinking of a nickname…
The Celtics are also saying all the right things coming into this one, vowing to execute any bit of insight Brad Stevens can find and exploit on the reels of game film he’s likely devoured since Sunday. Coach Bradley Kent (shouldn’t this guy have a cool nickname by now like “The Thinker” “The Prodigy” or “Zapruder” — feel free to spitball this in the comments and I’ll buy a C:tB t-shirt for whoever comes up with the best one) might also have some extra motivation after finishing a distant fourth in the Coach of the Year Award voting behind Mike Budenholzer, Steve Kerr and Jason Kidd.
Dave cares not for accolades… just wins.
(Cheer up though Brad, at least you got some votes unlike our own David Blatt who received just three third place votes.)
The Celtics also are still playing with house money since many expected them to be gambling in the lottery this off-season instead of rolling the dice in the post-season. And since they went on a hot streak to get here who knows… maybe the Clovers think they’ll have a bit of luck on their side for Game 2.
Although, we all know what can happen when you feel lucky…
Count me in the camp that believes in a Cavs sweep for Round 1, especially since they have LeBron James the greatest player of all time (wanna fight about it?). While this game may be close early, I think the Cavs pull away and win by a comfortable margin.
Prediction: Cavs 114, Celtics 94.
Chime in and give your two cents on Game 2…
That one was closer than expected, but I’d be lyin if I said that didn’t make it better!
Phew, good thing LBJ came to play tonight. That was a little too close for comfort. Also, big offensive boards by TT down the stretch really helped.
With calls going the other way and few more shots this one was in reach for the Celtics. Have to admit that they have a chance to win a game at home.
JR still hasn’t gotten it going, and the Cs are sitting in the passing lanes and especially getting to the skip passes and anything lazy.
hey evil yes ordered my shirts the very ist day / hr—-am so happy that this happened / am very pleased and honored for the cause they are going to LAUREN —-am excited / impatient for their arrival—–I like blatt but yes stevens has done a hell of a job —they( Celtics ) will always be dangerous/ competitive as long as he is coaching ( I had my doubts he would succed coming out of college ) —go cavs —2 more wins–get it done and get some rest !!!
If Cavs control the boards and take care of the ball, they will be fine in this series. This test is good to toughen them up, and increase their physicality.
I also really wish Cavs could get more help from the bench, everyone on the bench was in the negative for +/-, every starter was in the positive.
Also, if JR’s shots fall, this game is not even close.
Crazy when the bench only has 5 shots which I am fine with, it just doesn’t offer much production in that sense. But how about TT and his 11 boards. So glad to see Mozzy have a good game
I am impressed with Stevens. I’d trade blatt for him.
I’d rather have their bench.
I wouldn’t. You don’t need more than 8 to win on the playoffs
I’d rather see what a year of seasoning means for Coach Blatt, rather than have to watch the placid game face of Coach Spock over future voyages.
cols offers nothing substantial to this thread whatsoever getting annoying like “george’ trolling blatt
He’s usually right about the result which is why I assume people like having him around. He’s a good luck troll.
Celtics going with a legitimate 10 man rotation–we are basically playing a 7 man rotation —-if this series goes to 7 games that could hurt the cavs
Weirdly, they’re almost a great sort of beta test for the way the Hawks play. They don’t have nearly as good of knock down shooters as Atlanta or the overall talent, but this is the way that the Hawks most likely will play the Cavs in the ECF if they both wind up there…
There are days off in between all games. Thus team is young. They can easily handle the load.
The Wiz may end up sweeping the Raps. If Toronto can’t win at home I don’t see them fairing well in Washington.
It sure is looking that way, got me wondering who offers the more difficult matchup for Atlanta? Not sure who I want in this series, other than cant stand Pierce.
celtics are really playing tough in this series and eventually they will figure out and be a contender but Cavs had kryie and lbj combine for 24 points in 4th qtr and that will win games all the time
good win —-happy being up 2-0 but the next 2 games in bostons are going to be dogfights—need to get that win the 1st game—-hoping we try to get love more touches AND THE REAL JR SURFACES IN THE PLAYOFFS—-if he has a typical jr scoring game neither game is close at all—–would like to see more production from the bench
NOMAD, I hope you ordered a bunch of t-shirts!
Watching Love’s alley-oop reverse jam again, he looks a little dazed as he runs back up the court, like he just had a surreal experience that he hasn’t fully absorbed.
Well, I for one was wayyy too cocky on my prediction. But very happy they got the job done. Even though it wasn’t pretty, LBJ scored 15 in the fourth and Kyrie had 9. Good to have a couple of safety nets for mistakes…
They won by 8. And it wasn’t even that close. Whenever the Cavs wanted to they turned it on.
It was a 4-point game with about 3 minutes to go.
Yeah. It could’ve been 16. They chilled until celtics got close.
Well, I predicted they’d win by 20 going away… I guess they’re not ready to do that just yet.
With this team’s talent, it is easy to get cocky. But no team is going to roll over and let another team walk all over them if they have any self-respect, especially a team coached by Stevens. While I appreciate everyone’s gung-ho optimism – especially after the last several years – let’s not forget that the Celtics wre a hot team coming into the playoffs, sub-.500 record notwithstanding. Their team is VERY young and has a tremendous amount of energy.
But they also suck. No one on that team would start for a true contender. Well coached. But not talented. Talent wins out in NBA.
Although the Cavs pretty much let them into the playoffs by not really trying in their last two games against them, so…
They should cancel the rest of this series.
Is there a strike?
I assume you mean Celts should forfeit the series, since if they canceled it both teams would be out.
When Andy retires can he just be Sir CC forever?
LBJ admitting he needs to clean up the turnovers…
it’d be nice if Game 3 the Cavs come out gang busters and go no mercy like Cobra Kai
Yeah, it’s almost like the opponent should just completely roll over to satisfy what you think a playoff game should look like.
LeBron calls himself out on the turnovers in post-game interview. He knows it, so hopefully he does something about it.
2-0! I’ll take it!
LeBron must have had a quick cram session on the stat sheet before his interview with Rachel.
Lebron 30 9 7. Too easy for him.
He played 42 minutes in both games 1 and 2 against the 7th seed at home. You’d like to see it be a little easier. Remember how the Heat rode him into the Finals and then he broke down against the Spurs? The proof of the pudding is not in winning Round 1.
He went for 28 ppg 9 rebounds and 6 assists a game in the finals. They didn’t lose because Lebron broke down. They Lost because the a/c bosh and wade sucked while the Spurs went Nova.
Did you even watch the Finals? In games 3, 4 and 5 Lebron was gassed by the fourth quarters while playing no defense. Kawhi shot 70% against him in those decisive games. He put up decent numbers because he is Lebron, and because the Spurs were emptying their bench in the 4th with the Cavs were already down by 20. The Heat may have lost the series because Wade didn’t play well, but in game 5 when Bosh and Wade both played well, Heat still lost by 17 and Lebron had nothing extra in the tank even when he got… Read more »
No Chalupas… :(
little close for comfort but nice finish…cavs win next game this is sweep but won’t be easy….road playoff games are tough as hell
Wiz taking to the Raps again…
Nobody beats the Wiz!
Except the CAVS!
Goodnight Boston!
Chalupa a is how my auto corrects it
Well, it wasn’t pretty, but you can’t complain too mucha bout being up 2-0.
The Cavs are just living up to your prediction of starting the playoffs slowly.
I did predict that.
Agreed. I think tt’s 2 assists is impressive all things considered. I don’t remember him getting many the past few years.
Not exactly a clinic put on so far but after 2 games it’s hard to be up more than 2-0, so I concur the results are acceptable.
Looks like no chalupas tonight.
That should do it!
Chalupas?
Fred: Now Crowder is talking smack to TT.