Live Thread: Celtics @ Cavs

The Celtics are in town to battle the Cavs tonight. Cleveland is coming off a lackluster performance against the Hornets and an undeserved overtime win against the Pacers. Tyronn Lue’s guys are starting to look like the David Blatt team that would take ill-advised shots, dribble the life out of the ball, and forget that defense is half of a basketball game. 

However, it’s not all bad. In the overtime win against the Pacers, the Cavs looked transcendent through two quarters. In the loss against the Hornets, they looked amazing through two quarters. In the first half in Charlotte, the Cavs hit 53.5% of their shots and had 11 assists. However, they shot 37.5% in the second half and had just five assists. The Wine & Gold have been falling into old habits the second half of games lately.

Tonight’s game is about following a game plan for four full quarters.

The Celtics have won 10 of their last 13 games and Isiaih Thomas will be looking to score. Thomas is averaging 21.4 points this season and is Boston’s whole offense. Last game against the Cavs, Thomas scored just 12 points. Cleveland will need to keep him from going off. Kyrie Irving can’t be playing from behind on defense or Thomas will make him regret it.

The Cavs also need to move the ball against the Celtics. Boston is in the top ten for points allowed and sports the 2nd best defensive efficiency in the league (98.7). Cleveland will have to get the ball up the floor quickly and get into their offense early in the clock, so Boston isn’t able to set their defense.

And, finally, Kevin Love needs to play like he’s one of the Big Three. He scored 12 points against Charlotte and it took him 12 shots to do so. If Kevin is on, the rest of the team has a lot more room to work with.

I’m predicting a bounce back win, 110-93.

Matthew Dellavedova will miss his second straight game due to hamstring soreness.