Playoff Recap: Cleveland 109, Boston 99 (Summoning the Will)

From where does LeBron James summon it… the will to even get up for a Game Six after looking spent in Game Five? The will to defend the entire floor? The will to take and make impossible shots? The will to come back game after game after game: 376 games in Cleveland alone? Where does he find the will to prove that he is the best player in the universe yet again after playing almost 47,000 minutes in his career. How does he get out of bed every morning and say, “I’m not done for the summer. I could mail this in, and go sit on a beach with my kids for the next three months (or the rest of his life), but instead, I’ll play 46 superhuman minutes, just for the opportunity to log more grueling minutes..?” just for the opportunity to be criticized again… just for the opportunity to go through the gauntlet one more time? May we all have the opportunity to love something the way LeBron loves playing basketball.

Yes, the Cavs are playing at least one more time: a Game 7 in Boston. They’re booking their flight on the strength of one of the greatest basketball performances I’ve ever seen: a 46 point, 46 minute masterpiece that saw LeBron hit five three-pointers, include two absolute back breakers in the last 2:22.For good measure, James added 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, a block, and only three turnovers. As if that weren’t enough, James did this without Kevin Love, who got knocked in the head and out of the game by Jason Tatum in the first quarter.

Some teammates stepped up, though, including George Hill who dropped a playoff high 20, Jeff Green (14), and Larry Nance Jr. who scored 10 on a perfect 5-5 from the field, and grabbed seven rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes. Even the maligned Jordan Clarkson had his contributions with six points, five huge rebounds, and some clutch defense. Clarkson trailed only LeBron with the Cavs going +11 in his 14 minutes. It was the best D I’ve seen him play all post-season.

The First Quarter didn’t start out inspiring confidence among Cavs fans. After the tip, Boston started hot, and Cleveland looked as tight as Chris Paul’s hammy. They were doing bizarre things like posting up Tristan Thompson, and trying to score with J.R. Smith in isolation, and after five straight misses, Cleveland was down 12-6 before a Swish triple let us all exhale for a moment. Fortunately, George Hill and LeBron kept attacking the rack, and a Korver trey got the Cavs into a rhythm. Still, the Cavs were fending off a furious attack from Jaylen Brown who scored 15 in the quarter on just eight shots, as the Celtics shot 61% from the field. In some ways, Kevin Love’s collision with Jason Tatum helped wake the Cavs from their slumber, and brought them more into the moment as Jeff Green checked in. With as tragically as the quarter went, Cleveland was lucky to be down 25-20.

The Cavs roared back with a 20-4 run in the Second Quarter when LeBron scored 17, including three triples. The first was of the catch-and-shoot variety. When the Cavs exploited the “switch-then-double” strategy of Boston. Watch below as Jeff Green backs down Terry Rozier on the left block, draws the double and kicks it to the King for a Miami-esque catch and release. The next trey came after a monster o-board from TT who found LeBron in the left corner for cash money. These two looks got Bron going from outside (he cashed on an iso over Tatum, next). Setting up James for a couple stand-still treys should be in the playbook for game seven.

Jeff Green was a weapon as a big man this quarter. He did a great job of running to the rim and scoring in transition, off cuts, and even a sweet oop. He also took advantage of switches and went to the post for fouls and dishes. With Love’s injury, Green played 17 first half minutes, and played some very nice defense too. Check out this block, directed by assistant coach, Kendrick Perkins.

https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/1000184680254246912

The Cavs’ were energized defensively, with two blocks and two steals in the seconds, and held the Celtics to 6-20 from the field. They also got the hustle points, grabbing four offensive rebounds and outrebounding Boston 15-5 in the period. With Kevin Love out, the Cavs used Nance and Clarkson to switch everything and scramble the Celtics’ offense, and just harassed Boston with length and activity. Kyle Korver also was everywhere defensively, doubling, trapping, swiping down, trying to take charges. He was a beast. Cleveland also beat a path to the line, going 7-9 there, as they posted +18 quarter as they went to halftime up 54-43.

The Third Quarter confirmed that Kevin Love would not be returning, and Cleveland overcame hot shooting from the Celtics by getting to the line, and by riding a red hot George Hill who scored 12 in the period. He had a steal and a block that led to runouts the other way, one he scored himself and one he pitched to LBJ. He also used pindowns to get himself into the lane and to the line where he was 6-6. Getting George going early in Game 7 is an absolute must. He and the Cavs are so much more lethal when he’s looking for his shot. Cleveland also threw a block party with four in the quarter. including this signature chasedown by James.

Cleveland did just enough to keep Boston at arm’s length despite 10 points from Terry Rozier who was uber-aggressive this game. Rozier’s jumper looked unstoppable and the Celtics were 5-8 from three. Still, Cleveland only surrendered a point off the diff, going into the fourth ]up 83-73.

The fourth quarter got off to a ragged start when Jordan Clarkson missed a wide-freaking-open triple off a James steal and Jaylen Brown answered with a drive, travel, uncalled tie-up, and score over J.R. Smith. Cleveland had to fight Boston and the refs this quarter, who seemingly let everything go. Clarkson fumbled his way into two points when he drove, was rejected by the rim twice, and then finally tipped it in. Still, three offensive rebounds by the Cavs in that possession set the tone. It was a tense contest with both teams leaving everything on the hardwood. Check out this James drive which was blocked brilliantly by Marcus Smart. Fortunately, Larry was there to clean up the glass.

God, I hope this Fourth Quarter was the debut of playoff Larry Nance. Junior was a menace around the basket, challenging shots, and filled the lane like a champ. His energy was contagious, and after LeBron he was the best part of the fourth quarter for Cleveland. James kept attacking, and Nance would fill the lane or clean up his misses.

Boston wouldn’t go away though, and Terry Rozier wouldn’t miss. The Celtics also got away with a ton of uncalled contact, while Cleveland didn’t seem to be able to breathe on Boston without picking up a foul, and Boston routinely cut the diff to seven. Rozier’s jumper was flame, and Boston started getting all the loose balls that Cleveland was getting in the third, but Cleveland kept scoring enough to hold off the comeback before a ridiculous foul call on Kyle Korver sent Jaylen Brown to the line for three. Check out Bown throwing his leg out to the side to sucker the official into calling this banana on Korver.

Brown made 2-3, but James followed with a beautiful drive and dish to Nance to push the Cavs’ lead to nine with three minutes left. Brown came back and went right at Kyle Korver for a layup, and then LeBron’s magic happened. He isolated on Tatum at the top of the key and canned a step back trey fading to his left. Tatum scored on a drive, and then LeBron scored again in an almost frame-for-frame replay of the previous play. BANG! LeBron James from downtown!

It was enough to defeat the Celtics, who were demoralized after that. James followed that up with a runner from the left side reminiscent of his game winner against Toronto, to give him a point for every minute he played tonight before Brad Stevens subbed out the starters and after a standing ovation for James, the minute of garbage time led to a 109-99 victory.

Exhale:

Whatever happens, we were witness to greatness. Even the most hard core Jordan defenders are coming around to the idea that James is the GOAT. His playoff run threatens the highest scoring average since Jordan’s, and with game seven on the horizon, LeBron can cement his legacy.

James has won the last five game sevens he’s played in, and the Cavs have the momentum back heading to Boston. He can win this, but the Cavs have to play their best basketball of the season, top to bottom, and the coaching staff has to give them their best game plan of the year.

We don’t know the status of Kevin Love. The Cavs did not place him in the concussion protocol, but they “evaluated him for the concussion protocol.” According to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, if Love entered the protocol, it would almost be impossible for him to go through the battery of tests to return to play in Game 7. This seems like a dodgy way of getting out of the proper protocol for Love. The Cavs should not take chances with his health. sit him if he needs to sit. Another game and another hit to the head (by Jason freaking Tatum) would be an exponentially more dangerous blow if he indeed does have a concussion.

Playing smart lineups will be key, with or without Kevin, and the Cavs’ ability to switch everything when he’s not on the floor will be a huge factor. Larry Nance makes this possible, and it can’t be understated how good he was in this game. M0re than one fan has suggested that the Cavs should consider starting their best lineup: Nance, Green (or Love), James, Korver, and Hill. I’d rather space it out and start with TT, unafraid to sub and run down the stretch with whoever’s hot.

Nance’s ability to actually post up smaller players would be a boon unlike the awful distraction this is when they try this tactic with Thompson. But Nance has to stop looking for the pass first in these situations. Boston is expecting it. Go quick. Go strong, and score or get to the line.

Another rough game for J.R. as he went 2-7, including 1-5 from downtown. He was playing ok, not great defense, but his gravity does open the lane. Expect Boston to force him to hit a couple before they commit to him next game.

Kyle Korver, even when he’s not hitting is still contributing. He went 2-3 from downtown, but they’ve got to get him more looks. However his maniacle and detail oriented D is making him (still) the Cavs second best player this series.

Thompson also struggled with just four rebounds and two points, but he did add two big blocks. He’s going to have to give them more in Game 7.

These Boston youngins are no joke. They again had five guys in double figures: Rozier (28, 8 dimes), Brown (27), Tatum (15), and the Marcus Brothers (10). Brown, particularly, was tough to stop, and when Rozier is going 6-10 from downtown, he stretches the whole Cavs’ lineup. Getting to those guys earlier, before they get a head a steam, and making them score with contact (without fouling) is going to be crucial. Horford didn’t even get it going scoring just four points (nine rebounds, four assists). Silencing the Boston crowd and taking advantage of their nerves is paramount.

Let’s hope James is in his Lazarus pit right now, meditating for game seven and adding another coat of armor to his torso. We know Boston will try to thug it up against the Cavs, and they better be ready. Lue should excuse him from any intensive practice.

This was a transcendent game by a transcendent sports figure. Comedians, lawyers, mothers-in-law were tweeting about LeBron James after. The dude is iconic. He has a will and a stamina that is not only rare and legendary, it’s inspiring. And remember that for every moment and every brilliant thing he does on a basketball court, there are literally thousands of hours – a lifetime – of dedication and preparation behind it. It leads us to self contemplation.

If he has the ability to come out and do this over and over and over again, I can get up in the morning and do two measly circuit lifting sets. If he can do this, and then be at practice every day an hour early, then why can’t I show up to work a little earlier? If he can’ do this, and be a stellar human, father, and businessman off-the-court, then why can’t we all do a little bit more to make the world a better place? We can’t make consecutive triples in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals after 47,000 minutes of playing basketball in our careers, but we can do that. That’s easy.