Live Thread: Cavs @ Celtics, Game 4
2015-04-26
Game three between the Cavs and Celtics was an all out slug fest. There were tons of bizarre foul calls, lots of hands restricting players’ movements, and even some trash talk. If the Cavs win tonight, they will have a little extra rest before their next game. Their second round matchup is against whomever comes out of the Bucks, Bulls series. The Bucks beat the bulls with zero time left on the clock yesterday to force a game five.
The Celtics certainly are playing to win, but after watching their last game, I don’t think they will get the victory today. Brad Stevens had his team playing the most physical ball of any team in the playoffs on Thursday evening, and the Cavs still came out ahead, 103-95. Stevens even tried to “Touch-a-Thompson” in the first quarter of game three. Tristan Thompson made his free throws, and the tactic was abandoned.
The Cavs are winning these games, but they still have another level they can reach. LeBron James is still a little reserved on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor at times. He picks and chooses when he wants to explode into a passing lane or over power a guy in the post. Kyrie Irving has also seemed a little passive. In game three he scored just 13 points, but he seemed scared to head into the paint after the referees stopped calling fouls there. And, offensively, the Cavs are still relying a bit too much on Le-Iso possessions. In game three, the King scored or assisted on 12 of the final 19 points in the fourth quarter; however, he was dribbling the ball a lot and simply taking long twos instead of initiating offensive sets. He only turned the ball over twice though.
David Blatt would be smart to use this game as a practice for the next series. The Cavs need to move the ball and play lock defense to blow out the Celtics. The Cavs shouldn’t leave this one up to Le-Iso plays in the final minutes of action. A decisive TKO would be a great confidence boost heading into the second round.
I’m predicting the Cavs win tonight, 123-89. What are you thoughts?
Here comes Perk just as Kelky enters.
This is bad. Real bad. Reds let it get out of control. Now we are screwed. How can we beat Warriors?
Don’t panic Cols…
Love’s injury happened before anything got out of control. If anything, Olynyk’s dirty play set it all in motion.
Uh oh… LBJ has calf cramps… not this again…
I hope this game ends with no more injuries for the Cavs. And no more silly plays.
Where’s Olynyk? Is he afraid to re-enter the game?
Cavs offense looks bad without love.
we are 5 of 26 from 3 right now.
Jones was fouled on that 3.
Too bad this isn’t game 7 of the finals with the Cavs about to win it all. Dudes are laying it all out there getting smacked around. Seriously depressed about Love. Makes you wonder why we watch the whole season when something like this can happen at any time.
you know, its a dirty play. That’s what sucks. Guys get injured all the time, every teams has to survive it. Its that it happened on a purely non-basketball play that is a problem. Olynk will be suspended. Not that it matters, but he will.
Bass is thuging, esp with that lay out of Shump.
At least two offensive fouls on that one play. The refs leaving the door open to more trouble,
On the replay it looked like Shump just hit his head on Moz’s knee on the way down…
Somebody else is going to get hurt the way this one is going…
Stevens really should reign them in.
In addition to shump?
Celtics are dirty. I’ve lost a lot respect for Stevens. And the refs.
I don’t think they were dirty before, but they’ve definitely become that way since they realized they couldn’t compete….
I love the “throw your arms up” move after you commit an obvious foul…
Tony Brothers might be legally blind…
No just legally stupid.
I hate that guy. He’s consistenly awful with his BS. I remember when we were playing the Raps last year and Brothers wouldn’t call crap. He stinks and should be incarcerated.
Kyrie’s shot is off this half
Its been all game, actually.
Hip seems to be bothering him…
Cavs are pissed, but they do need to calm down enough to win the game. Defend themselves but stay focused on the bigger goals. Celtics have nothing to play for other than trying to injure people. These refs are really to blame for this disaster.
I hope this team of officials gets reviewed after this game…
Thomas took five steps coming off that screen. Then body checked TT into the first row.
That’s not suspension worthy for JR.
I got no problem with J.R. there.
Hey Javie,
How about Okynyks cheap shot?
I hate Kelly olynyj. Ugh. I think they still make the finals. But any chance of winning it all I don’t think.
All I can think is that “too bad it wasn’t Olynyk”
I think JR will get tossed.
JR swing. Yikes.
JR WITH THE HUUUUUGE SMASH!!
Is the lesson here Dominate your opponent early so they don’t get the idea that they can push you around? I mean, if they played angry from the beginning, Boston doesn’t come within 20 points of a win in any game. This series would’ve been over after Game 2.
What???!!!! They won game one by 12. They have destroyed the celtics. Dirty play bully ink
They won game one by 13. Had they played all out blitz, they would have won by 31.
Meh. Refs gotta control the dirty play.
@SamAmicoFSO: Word from locker room is Cavs players especially miffed now that they’ve learned Kevin Love out for game.
Yeah, this is going to get ugly fast. Boston is going to get their asses handed to them even worse in the second half. It might get to +30.
How can we beat the Warriors without Love? I don’t think we can.
Its going to be tough to get there without Love. I think best case right now is that w/out love we have enough to beat the bulls and Atlanta (yes on Bulls, maybe on Atlanta) By then, he MIGHT be able to come back for the Warriors or Spurs, if we get there.
STFU please.
That wasn’t at me, right?
No.
The playoffs are so long, if they can make it out of the EC without KLove, that might easily be 4-5 weeks. Could be back by then if it’s just a dislocation…
We have to root for everyone else’s series to go 7 games.
I dont even care bout this game, I know we are going to win, want us to keep up the lead as well, to crush their spirit, but that Kevin Love injury got me worried , cant self fully enjoy this game, looking ahead at the road to the finals continuing with the tough Bulls and we done don’t have a bench if TT needs to start.
Can’t believe Shump has only been credited with one steal… seems like he’s knocked away so many balls already. He does have 7 boards though…
I love how Shumpert is playing, he’s impacting the game on defense in many ways that don’t show up in da stat sheet.
Hopefully Tony Brothers has officiated his last game.
Kyrie playing a great floor game today.
Jalen – I don’t advocate fighting in any way, but I also don’t advocate fake fighting (Chowdah)!!!!
They should call this game now before anyone else gets hurt… Mercy rule
Holy shit I have NEVER seen a Cleveland team play with so much anger! Love going down has ignited them.
I didn’t know Perk was that good at hitting his FTs
Hack-a-Perk! Make the FTs.
Love that these idiots think they can get back at Perk…
Fat ass Sully with the tackle.
Perk with a great board!
Looked like all ball… and Kyrie was making a play on the ball…
Now the refs are going into BS mode.
Yeah that’s not a foul. It’s a block.
Expect some Boston cheap shots in the second half.
I’d love to see both Olynyk and Crowder get their heads shaved at the end of this one…
I could watch Perk set that screen all day.
Crowder go get some chowdah!
BALL DON’T LIE
Hahaha and he doesn’t get ejected. This is gonna get even worse.
I just realized why this game is so poorly officiated. Tony Brothers is the lead ref.
Perk regulates. Refs got no one to blame but themselves.
Exactly, You are a 100% right. Celtics are getting away with hitting at will and the ref’s haven’t don’t anything.
Cavs have to be cautious with LeBron and Kyrie.
It started in game three. The refs allowed it all game, so the Celts turned it up a notch. Glad Perk took it upon himself to do something. Someone had to.
@CavsFredMcLeod: Perkins got a standing ovation at the watch party!!!!
Perk earning his money today. Too bad it wasn’t on Olynk. Pop out that bugged eye in his head.
Perk just earned his money for the year!
if this is a coach stevens coaching strategy ( dirty / hard play ) then I have lost all respect for him
YES! PERK!
Here we go! Looks like Perk will get tossed there.
PERKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!
These refs are pure trash!
Shump rebounds the ball so well. You seriously could run him at the starting SF in today’s NBA
DELLY RUBBER RIM TREY!
Suck it Boston!
Celtics just looking to hurt people now…
Shump is having a good game.
Close the half strong, fellas.
Sullinger looks as far as Bartolo Colon
Fat* meant to say
How is that not a flagrant 1 on Sully? No play on the ball
Tirico should stop with the “Love injured himself.” He was the victim of a dirty play.