Live Thread: Cavs @ Celtics (or, Game of the Year)
2025-02-28Good evening CtB!
Tonight is another occasion that needs no introduction. It’s the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers for Eastern Conference supremacy. It’s an East Finals preview. It’s the Cavs last chance to even the season score at 2-2. It’s ESPN, it’s Friday night, let’s get it on.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live nationally on ESPN, Go Cavs!
JUST BEEN THINKING OF “ GEMs “ STATS / ROLE NOW VS WHEN RUBIO ( HEALTHY) PLAYED— KNOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT YET SIMILAR—- WHO STATS ARE BETTER— WHICH PLAYER IS MORE IMPORTANT——- THOUGHT s / OPINION s
To see Ty showing out as he is might be the most interesting thing. You’ve got two max contract guards he is always sharing time with everyone he’s on the floor. With Rubio, it was different in that he was sharing the court with young guards, but in that case the deference was earned over years. But similar in that you saw how things play when he’s out there and the results speak for themselves
I think it’s really interesting about the moves not made, particularly in light of the past deadline. Kept the lineup, made the right choice on coach. But, just look at the knicks and bucks, who made winning moves and who are now locked in as non- contender tier. The league is too deep, now, and you need a lot of lineup flexibility to make it through four series. I don’t think it’s an accident that the past few champions struggled mightily once their key role players departed/ attrited.
The Bucks have won 7 of 10. Giannis is healthy. The Dame, Kuzma, Price, Giannis, Lopez lineup is huge. And KPJ and Trent Jr give them some punch off the bench. I think Portis will be back for the POs.
While I think they are a Tier 2 team along with NY, I would not write them off.
Non contender was too strong, second tier was definitely what I was thinking. Giannis is still monstrous and they know how to play together.
SPIDA OUT TOMORROW—- REST —-SMART DECISION
Who starts for him? Jerome? Okoro? Wade? Hunter?
I think that the adjustments and counter adjustments in a likely playoff series with the Celtics is going to be fun to watch (or anxiety provoking).
very nice win, however, still very concerning that they got punked so horribly in the 1st Q.. they need to control these “real” games from the opening tip, otherwise they are going to get into real trouble, and squander this epic season.. i am more concerned post-ame then i was pre-game.. they are more vulnerable than i previously thought.. i trade the chart in front of me, not the one that i wish existed..
other teams exist and can make shots, and a jittery start in a loud road game happens to even great teams all the time. The “chart,” includes a decimation of the #4 and #5 teams in the league, as well as domination at Denver, and an even split with Boston and a +1 point differential with slow starts but no blowouts. you just day trading off feelings. read a 10-K brother, educate yourself. even if we lose to Boston in a series (and we shouldn’t be favored) the season isn’t squandered. It seems clear there is even another level for… Read more »
Agreed. Seasoned critics have noted the Cavs are kind of where every great team was at one time–in position to knock off the champ with the need to figure out how to do it. They will have seven games to do that, and I like their chances of figuring it out. Concerning the opening of the game, any team is vulnerable when they miss their threes and the other team is unconscious. I love how they punched back–especially from the bench. They also adjusted enough to support Garland as he was being hunted on defense. Porzingis brings his own problems… Read more »
We have 1987 Pistons / 2004 Pacers vibes. We have a good chance of breaking through
With the ultimate Boston 5, it’s two of DG / Mitchell / Ice / Ty and Wade / Hunter / Mobley. It should work if Hunter and Mobley can take their men 1:1
It’s really worth asking at this point–has Ty entered Ricky Rubio status? He’s not as big, but his impact on winning is becoming irrefutable. They cannot play three guards in crunch time, correct? Mobley and Hunter are musts–do you go offense/defense with Jerome/Wade?
depends on the opponent and situation.
According to Fedor, with both Mobley and Allen on the floor vs the Celtics this season (for a total of 58 minutes), the Cavs have a net rating of negative 32.1, their offensive rating is 90, their defensive rating is 122. Which is probably why you didn’t see JA playing down the stretch.
That amounts to the first seven or eight minutes of the first and third quarters. Is it worth NOT starting one of them? If this team truly has checked egos, would Mobley or Allen be cool with this?
Also worth noting: Porzingis has only played in two of the four Cavs/Celts games. His +/- is -7. Mobley in those games? -2. Allen? +2. The teams split these two games. Maybe the bigs in this series are a wash.
If Zinger & Horford are both on the floor, it is easier for us to go bigger. But the J’s are still a problem if the entire Core 4 is out there, because someone will be overmatched.
I still say Mobley on Brown is our best shot, just hope he is cool from deep. Mitchell probably next, but JB punishes smalls.
But the reality is, if both Js are out there, we likely cannot run the Core 4.
If we face Boston in the playoffs. They need to start Hunter over Strus.
Jaylen Brown throwing shade…
He pushes off every freaking time. And then has the lack of self-aware ess to whine when it FINALLY gets called?
All the Celtics push off. Especially Tatum, Brown, and Push Off Pritchard.
Exactly. On the foul he’s referring to, he pushed off Garland’s head. It just made it more noticeable.
The Boston press had a storyline ready to go about how their team is primed to take the top spot and ready for another run. Truly, those guys have to be the least enigmatic champs in a while
It follows their best player. He was shouting to “get [the Cavs] the f#*@ out of here” barely half a quarter into the game. I much prefer our team’s approach to the game in general.
A perhaps under appreciated aspect of what the Cavs are doing right now is that, after their rocket start to the season and so heavily participating in All star weekend – there has been zero lull post-All star break. This is arguably their best stretch of the season to date, even over the 15-0 start, considering the quality of the wins over Memphis, the Knicks and the Celtics.
I think a lot of that should be the depth, strategic planning of rest and overall cushion that the start afforded the team. Minutes stayed down the while team, even in yesterday’s game, and the juice is just regularly available. No trap game type issues, things are addressed over time like starts to game and halves, defense, rebounding. Can see the adjustments in real time and the buy in. Really great job.
GOOD TO SEE MOBES HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO HOIST THE 3’s AFTER GOING OPHER 👍🏀
SPIDA TRUE PROFESSIONAL/ LEADER—- TAKE s IT PERSONAL FOR HIS POOR PLAY / DECISION s —— ALSO MADE POST COMMENTS…..” WE HAVENT DONE ANYTHING YET “ KEEPS EVERYTHING EVEN KEEL / MOTIVATED
So glad he is sticking to that mantra. They haven’t. He is truly leading this team, from his play to his post-game commentary.
One comment on the Boston game, I love that in Mitchell’s comments he recognized he took a couple bad shots late. He most certainly did.
Upcoming schedule:
3/2: Portland
3/4: at Chicago
3/5: Miami (b2b, Heat rest advantage)
We then kick off a 10 game stretch with 8 on the road. Including stops in Milwaukee and Memphis before a 5 game west coast road trip (LAC, SAC, PHX, Uta, Port) with a b2b in Sac.
I’d really love to push that win streak to a dozen before that road stretch.
Portland could be a semi-trap game. I think they play pretty hard.
We have already lost to Miami once as well.
Mobley’s two consecutive made 3s were what finally put the Cavs on top after they kept getting close. The way he hit a late 3 against Memphis after going 0 for his first 7, had to boost his confidence a bit last night to take those down the stretch.
Yep. I thought a couple guys got a bit gunshy late. Strus on one possession. Wade on another. I get Spida was on a heater, but it was noticeable.
Mobley was not one of them despite the slow start.
Yes that was noticeable. Wade has often had that tendency, but it’s unusual to see Strus hesitate on an open look.
So far in 2025:
A 77% win percentage translates to a 63-19 record over 82 games. Each team has played between 24 and 29 games so far in 2025.
Cavs’ rebounding in 2025 so far:
Cavs’ defense in 2025 so far:
good stuff! thnx.
NATE HOW WAS THE CHARGE GAME—- SEE TRAVERS ALMOST WITH A TRIPLE/ DOUBLE—— FINALLY GOT BERNARD BACK / HE WAS IMPRESSIVE BEFORE GETTING INJURED
BOTH TEAM s WERE 17/39 FROM 3………… KA STILL ABLE TO KEEP THE MINUTE s DOWN——SPIDA WITH THE MOST/ 35——3 CELTICS WERE 40+
WATCHING REPLAY—-EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THE CAVS WIN —STILL ALMOST TURNED OFF AFTER THAT DISASTER START — JUST PHENOMENAL COMEBACK!!!
That seals coach of the year for Kenny, I think. You come in thinking that with Porzingis out the Cavs bigs should be the key advantage, and they get blitzed 25-3 to start the game. But he keeps tinkering and tinkering during the game as they creep back into it, and finally in the 4th he runs with a no-center lineup for a critical stretch. We got stuck with the Celtics local broadcast as we live in the Boston area, so we watched most of the game with the sound off. Huge win for the bench, Donovan, and Mobley in… Read more »
So weird Mobley didn’t make it back in.
What a game. Went and watched charge tonight so had to catch up when I got home. What an MVP performance by Mitchell.
We won possession tonight.
TOs: Cavs only 7! Boston 14. Cavs +7.
Reb: 44-40 Cavs. 14 offensive rebounds each.
Mobley did that almost single-handedly in the 4th. I didn’t think he had that in him, but he was great on the glass
Boston bench gave them nothing and horford was ineffective. I really believe horford is their margin of victory. In past series. When he was shit down, his teams could not replace his production. I don’t know what else you do schematically except that you have to be ready to match moves in game. Feel like we actually have an even board and the guy making the moves is up to the task go cavs!
I believe Holiday is–but last night, it probably was him. I keep thinking, he’s too old to still be a factor in big games…isn’t he?!
Plus minus:
Allen -23, Strus -19, DG -17, Mitchell 0, Mobley +2, Okoro +3, Wade +12, Hunter +21, Merrill +22, Jerome +34.
Only 6 Celtics scored.
The Jerome stat is wild. Yes he got all his points during a Cavs run…but he didn’t score 25 points. He missed more floaters in this game I think than he has all year. But he just seems to play good enough d and be enough of a threat on offense that help defense can’t seem to know how to defend him.
Wow that is an awesome win. What an incredible season
Will add that I HATE Tatum’s game. He openly shoves people with his arms extended every . . . single . . . possession. Every game.
The Deandre trade making a direct impact – made their closing lineup possible, and he blocked Tatum’s 3 that was Boston’s last chance.
Wow, I turned this game on at the 8-minute mark of the third quarter – annoyed I’d gotten home so late – and I see the Cavs down 70-87. Then they outscore Boston 53-29 in the last 20 minutes! Best win of the year – so far! And Donovan once again reminding us “we haven’t done anything yet.” His mind is on the mission.
That was impressive stick-to-it-ivrness right there. The initial 25-3 hole. The 87-70 hole in the 3rd. KA not afraid to go small.
Yes, without Zinger & Jrue, but still impressive.
Balancing out the missing starters was Tatum having the best game of the season that any player has had against us by a mile
Cavs end the game on a 120-91 run
Goddamn. Go Cavs!
Great win!
Sweet! Make FTs and this is a wrap. (Knock on wood).
Surprising..Common sense prevails.
They will call this flagrant.
Don’t think that’s a flagrant
But a stop and a nice DG jumper. Up 7 under a minute.
Strus has tonshoot that. Another poor one there.
2 more stops and scores.
Spida big time drive!!
Mitchell stepping up. 38 points!
Bad stretch instead of extending the lead, 6-0 run by Boston.
Put Mobley in, FFS.
Put Mobley back in
Awful out of TO.
Spida, Strus, Okoro, Hunter, Wade.
Gave up a layup and KA calls a TO.
Would love to see a CAVALANCHE to close this out!
Man, we really needed to score after all those Mobes boards.
Still, up 6 after DG3.
DG3!!!!
The heat check stare down. Love it.
Okoro. In the moment. No.
He misses wide right/left a LOT.
I was thinking of last year’s playoffs. He had the opportunity, just didn’t convert.
Gah! Wanted that 3 for Mobes after all that
Mobley is a machine
I am loving this. But vs only 1 J. But I love the fight. We dug out of a 25-3 hole, the fell down by 17 in the 3rd, and are now up 3.
Tatum coming back in.
Vs 1 J, we make runs. Against both, we struggle.
Great fight so far … now stun the home crowd
Is it just me or are we getting destroyed on the glass? Especially these extra Boston possessions due to offensive rebounds.
Pretty even actually. 33 to their 34 total boards. 9 to their 11 offensive boards
Didn’t check the stat line, just the old eye balls, guess I was wrong.
…and then Mobley gets 3 offensive rebounds to really make me look silly. 🤪
Yeah. They just feel like back breakers any time you give these guys extra chances
Mobley! Another 3 for the lead!
Mobley asserting himself.
Don’t shoot it Mobley! Never mind.
I was right with you!
Mobley! Cavs lead!!!
Chance for the lead.
Drat.
SPIDA!!!!!
Gonna need some Mitchell magic
Tatum feels comfortable working against JA.
Cavs need to win this game.. losing all 3 games against Boston wouldn’t go well with the narratives.
Celtics might have won that challenge
We make runs when the Js are split. But against our starters, they just kill us.
Not sure why we’re running out this starting lineup? It’s too small against this team. At least switch out Strus.
Get the damn rebound.
Why is Strus in the game over Merrill?