Playoff Preview/Live Thread: Cavs vs. Celtics, Game 2

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…