Preview: Cavaliers at Celtics, May 7th
2010-05-07Here we go. Win a game at the Garden or go home. Some things to watch out for:
It would be really great if the Cavs were aggressive on both sides of the ball early. They’ve fallen behind by double-digits in each of the first two games. That’s unacceptable for one of the best first-quarter teams in basketball. Cleveland’s good late and Boston will blow leads, but the Cavs can’t count on a comeback. They need to play every possession like it’s the fourth quarter.
LeBron’s gotta be more aggressive early. I don’t know if it’s the elbow or what, but the Cavs are going to be in big trouble if he doesn’t come out and set the tone.
Stop Rondo. Slow Rondo down. Do the opposite of everything that has been done against Rondo so far. The Cavs have to hope he comes back to earth in game three.
Mo Williams has to get going and hit some threes. He shouldn’t force anything, though — just run the offense, go to his spot, and trust that the ball will come back to him.
Jamison needs to get some inside looks on pick-and-rolls, weak-side cuts, and post-ups.
Yes, KG’s only shooting 42% for the series. But he’s getting way too many easy baskets. If he gets his points on turnaround jumpers and 20-footers, that’s fine. No layups.
Shaq needs to make hooks or get the quick hook.
Hickson’s played good enough offense to get himself in the rotation for this series. He needs to step it up on defense and the boards to get his team a win.
This would be a great game for Delonte to find what he’s been missing for much of this season. This team desperately needs more toughness and guys willing to drive the ball at the rim.
Here we go. Doesn’t get much bigger than this. Cavs have to play every possession. This series and this season are still far from over. That said, the time for this team to step up is right now.
Well David, because one team clearly has more overall talent and depth than the other and should win. I mean, the celtics should lose this series, and the cavs shouldn’t lose games by 20 at home to ANYONE in the playoffs, let alone the celtics. besides, I didn’t base the cavs lack of effort in game 2 on the score, I based it on what I watched. As I said above, didn’t watch this game for superstitious reasons, so commenting on the Celtics effort is impossible for me, because you can’t see effort in the box score. But w/e. If… Read more »
Give it up for AP, he played a great game. It’s not as if he “locked down” Rondo (and that would be impossible for anyone to do). But he made Rondo work every second he had the ball, and only time he let up was when Rondo looked like he might shoot a 20-footer — a shot the Cavs were happy to let him have all night. Rondo blew by him a couple times for layups, but he wasn’t creating many looks for others. How about Mo? He may not have his outside touch back yet, but about 4 or… Read more »
Just as I thought it was a bit silly to overreact to Game 2, I will try not to do it here. All I’ll say is that this was 10000000 times more enjoyable to watch.
@Leo- my favorite quote when one announcer said Shaq and his entourage followed him to the same restaurant, and the other announcer asked if Shaq came to his table for auotographs. Burn!
Lebron looked like he was about to eat some guts and ask for seconds until he sat in the 4th…
Everybody talks about Kobe and MJ’s “killer instinct” but the King had become Death-the Destroyer of worlds.
That Dr. Manhattan pic during the Bulls series was spot-on, Krolik.
This was a red ass beatdown. Payback is a bitch.
Rich, how come it’s only ok to be sad when we lose, and not happy when we win?
Also, I’m pretty sure this game proved that the Celtics do not care about winning, by your rationale.
People need to quickly get back to reality. Cavs aren’t shooting 60% every game, so lets forget about that right now.
Itd be terrific if the Cavs played like this every game…though its not likely…but cmon…makes the games so much more enjoyable and easier on the starters…they just picked apart Boston so bad..it was unreal…
Favorite quote from announcers
Mike Breen: Lebron ready to go for the kill here in the 2nd quarter
Van Gundy: I dont think you can kill something thats already dead
Also Id like to brag that I predicted Lebrons first quarter outburst…im awesome….GO CAVS!
Windy reporting that 124 is a Cavs playoff record for points … and it wasn’t an over time game. Wow.
You know what that game reminded me of? The first game in Orlando. Just a complete domination on both ends of the court for 48 minutes.
That was better than game 4 in Chicago. KEEP PLAYING LIKE THIS!
Tom is right. Boston was actually lights out after that 1st quarter, but it didnt matter. The Cavs were PICKING apart their defense. It was a damn clinic.
BTW, love the idea that Boston still thinks they need to “get Pierce going.” No they don’t. Stop allowing Pierce to take 15 shots and get those shots from otherp eople. Be better off if Rondo took 5 more shots. Love it boys, Keep forcing Pierce. It isn’t happening.
Boston is clearing out the bench. They should bring in that guy from the Arby’s commercial. “Hi, I’m Brian Roastbeef.” Or is it Scalabrine? Whatevs, they can suck a fat one.
@ Dr. Z, yes – well, actually the Celtics have been on FIRE since the 1st quarter and it hasn’t mattered. The Cavs are a JUGGERNAUT offensive team right now.
LOL – Rich just follow me on twitter – you will get a good feel
I unfortunately have to watch this game on tape delay but HOLY HELL I am looking at this box score and seeing “the perfect game.” Has this been as good to watch as I am imagining? I just hope that it isn’t just offensive perfection i.e. they better be defending people and playing physical defense.
So I haven’t watched the game so far yet to see if it could like change the way the team was playing, so you all can thank me for this. LOVE what I see in the box score. Jamison with 14 shots in 3 quarters, Shaq 5-7 in 3 quarters, and the Cavs appear to be dominating on the boards. More of this please. BTW, this means I will not be watching any more games till the cavs lose.
Hey what about this Lebron james kid? I think he could turn out to be pretty good. Still young though.
Now THAT’s what I’m talkin’ about.
@Leo: You should start a psychic hotline.
You called it Leo. LeBron for 21 in the first.
Wow LeBron that was sick and delicious.
LOL @ Leo… LOL
And the entire city of Cleveland exhales a sigh of relief … that was an awesome bounce back quarter.
Please Run. Please Run. Please Run.
Not only do the Cavs have to start aggressive but stay that way the entire game…they have to just pound it in every single time and show no mercy whatsoever…guarantee if they do that…they will win big..this team is too talented not to throw the Celtics around like rag dolls…itd be cool if Lebron had a 20 point first quarter haha