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…
TT saving yet another possession!!
Tristan Rodman does it again
How valuable TT is?! Is amazing!!
Haha. We are going to win by double digits. Worrywarts
That was a HELL of a strip on Zeller!
TT is saving the game for the CAVS down the stretch.
Celtics turn it over! TT offensive rebound… Ballgame!
TT is saving our ass tonite and lebron making plays
I questioned Blatt sitting LeBron so much in the 3rd, but, clearly it was just a delayed benefit. He’s bigger faster stronger than everyone right now
Hope they have a Plan B for future rounds.
These offensive sets are fugly.
Gotta be careful with Moz fouled out and KLove with 5 fouls…
I hope the Cavs can end this series in 4 games. They will need some rest before facing the Cows.
Crap. Expect a Celtics run with Timofey out.
Another stupid turnover. Come on CAVS!
Where is Kevin love?
On the bench with 5 fouls…
No kidding. My cavs app hasn’t updated the box score. It was odd. Thanks for the heads up because AT&T has fouled out in my book.
This style of play can work in this round but Bulls will be brutal on cavs with their front court
Agreed. We know LeBron and Kyrie are much, much better options in crunch time than Isaiah Thomas and Evan Turner, and so they can play uneven ball and still beat the 7th seed down the stretch. I’d like to see a bit more than that.
Lebron can score whenever. He’s just keeping his teammates involved.
LeBron plays for the Celtics?
Inside game is there all day if they want it…
Hopefully this is the only hero ball game the CAVS play for the remainder of the playoffs.
seems every time isiah thomas drives a foul is called…dude getting the wade 06 and harden calls
Just give it to LeBron in the post.
Second time Kyrie has bailed out a terrible Bron possession by drawing a foul.
LeBrons play has me legitimately concerned about the next few rounds against the Bulls and Hawks. If he plays like this, we’ll have some serious trouble against the Bulls, and prob won’t get past them.
Just seems like a bad game plan not to drive inside more against this Celtics team…
i don’t get why that isn’t the game plan the whole game….they have two white stiffs and sullinger as their big men yet Cavs are jacking up 3s
Huge bail out call.
Moz is everywhere on both sides of the floor.
Cavs have been delivering some good fouls tonight. The Celtics will be feeling it tomorrow.
i don’t get the 3 point shooting here…we are making barely any of them
Ugh a lot of mental errors!
Just sloppy… Cavs should be up by 10 now
Lebron wtf – so sloppy.
Oy. See the pass, LeBron.
Man, two potentially costly turnovers. Gotta clean it up.
FlOP
And we are back up big. Yawn
Cavs are lucky to be playing a team that struggles to manufacture offense. They won’t always have that luxury.
Put it away with 2:30 left against the seventh seed, what dominance.
Unlike Cols, Cavs can’t afford to get complacent against a team whose only goal is to give them a tough series. This is not like a veteran team that will fold once they realize they are not advancing. Brad Stevens is telling them every extra minute they make the Cavs work is a victory, there is no reason for the Cavs to play that game.
This game is not over yet but we can already tell the next 2 in Boston will be a huge test for the young Cavs.
Maybe the next one, but not game 4 if Cavs are up 3-0
It won’t be. The Cavs haven’t even hit their 2nd highest gear yet. They are just chilling and still blowing away the celtics.
I hope both of you are right but it will definitely take a better effort to defeat them in Boston.
Celtics getting some crazy shots to fall after solid D by the Cavs.
Several uncalled moving screens on Shump by Boston…
It looked like the feet were moving right in front of the ref and he stared at it.
The thing you guys don’t get is that Lebrun can turn it on whenever he wants.
Agreed. And so can Kyrie. This team is a playoff nightmare for the opposition.
Moz opening up jumpers for Kyrie and Bron with great screens and a roll threat.
cavs starting to open up now….Zeller getting away with bump on screen….how is this dude still in game…I’ve got 7 fouls on him haha
See. Worrywarts. Lebrun has this.
Isaiah Thomas must have legs of paper he falls down so much… geez
A little breathing room.
Kyrie and James both with sweet plays — Irving to get the rebound away from Zeller and find James, James with a tough finish despite the uncalled foul.
There we go! Great D by Moz and a fantastic board and break by KI leads to a LBJ layup.
Kyrie stole that ball right outta Swedish Larry Bird’s grasp. In other news Swedish Larry Bird <<<<<<<<<<< American Larry Bird
That was a weak call refs!
Bron looked pissed at Moz for piling on that one…
Crowder is trying to bully LeBron.
Ha. Young nucleus? Maybe smart and THOMAS and crowder? But none of those guys are starters on a contender.
KYRIE IS MY HERO!
I think the Cavs are gonna lose this game. They are so tight right now.
I think you Are a crazy oetson
Cols you lack “appropriate fear”
Because we are greT. You are just scarred from Cleveland.
Cols if the Cavs are “bored” and their “boredom” is allowing the Celtics to be within 2 buckets with 3 minutes to play – then there are some issues to address.
Shouldn’t play with fire.
Another theory: they aren’t playing very well.
Bron with 5 turnovers… just a little too sloppy…
All season long….
Get the ball to Moz in the middle instead of Le Iso and the Cavs score.
Kyrie gets buckets!
LeBron playing like a$#.
Kelly Over-The-Back Olynyk
Are the Celtics better than their seed, or are we just playing like crap? I can’t figure it out.
Think the Celtics are scrappy and have nothing to lose. Think Cavs have played dominantly in spurts, and then get lazy with ball and with too many outside shots.
We are bored. We need to play a real team. Unfortunate we won’t be tested till Finals
I think both. Celtics were strong after they traded for Isaiah Thomas.
LeBron just looks out of sync. And JR/Shump can’t score for some reason.
LeBron’s lack of confidence in his handle is getting him back into hot-potato jump-pass mode.
Not liking what I see from the Cavs so far in the playoffs.
You worry too much TP… ;)
They won’t beat a good offensive team if they are so uneven offensively
We are about to go up 2-0. What are you bitching about?
Watch the language.
Just fun. Love the fast pace! They need a mercy rule in the first round.
We’re only up 4 dude.
For now. The Cavs are bored.
They sure don’t look bored. Now only up 2 points.
Game is fun and competitive. You all need to enjoy it! How long did we wait for playoff ball? This is the way the game should be played!!
I think we’re all enjoying it…
Unless he’s driving at the rim tonight, Bron just can’t get anything to fall from short range.
Like TT but as good as Moz has been you have to get him back in.
Agree wholeheartedly…
why we stuck delly on smith is bad blatt decision need to stick shumpert or smith on him at all times….length kills that dude
Stop playing with them!! Finish them now!!
Somewhere dion just said and 1.
These fouls called on Cleveland so far in the 4th are absurd.
LeBron pressing. Put Mozgov back in.
MORE OF THAT!
Would love to see Bron drive and put this game away in the next few minutes…
Crowder flop…