Celtics-Cavs Second Round Series

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I think that should scare any Celtic fan. All the Cavs need is a big night from LeBron and the tables are turned. LeBron has been turning it around the last few games and it just feels like he will break out tonight.

LeBron will get his points, but the key will be the other players.........much like LeBron can have a huge game.....Pierce and Allen are more than capable of hurting a team......the home court will be the difference......how long can Pierce and Allen struggle.....much like LeBron...they can break out in any game......

I agree with this...if West, Wally, Boobie, Smith can show up and shoot the ball well tonight we will have a great shot...

Well....that is a given.....difference in winning and losing for Cleveland.....first two games they struggled.....3/4 they hit shots.....

I definitely don't see a double digit victory, unless the Cavs are held to 60's or the low 70's. Boston hasn't shown any ability to be successful consistently against the Cavs defense, both home and away. No reason to think that will change now.

Unfortunately, the Cavs were held in the 70's in Boston......the Cavs just do not play at the same level on the road as they do at home.....the numbers do not lie.

 

[LitlBuck]

It's been difficult to watch this series. Growing up in Massachusetts the only Boston team I ever liked was the Celtics. .

Sorry to here that:). Grew up up in Cleveland watching the legendary Celtics (KC and Sam Jones along with Mr. Russell). They must shutter when they see the antics of a guy like KG.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

Unfortunately, the Cavs were held in the 70's in Boston......the Cavs just do not play at the same level on the road as they do at home.....the numbers do not lie.

But in only one game this series has Boston scored above 84, and even then they only scored 89 points.

I'm not sure if you're suggesting a Boston offensive explosion, or Boston just completely shutting down Cleveland.

Like aside, there have only been two quarters in this entire series where you can say Boston really outplayed Cleveland (quarters 2 & 3 of game two).

Just seems a little ridiculous to predict a blowout when there's nothing indicating (statistically speaking or momentum speaking) that one should happen. Not saying it's impossible, but if the Celtics were to blowout the Cavs, it would have just been a complete guess on your part.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

LeBron will get his points, but the key will be the other players.........much like LeBron can have a huge game.....Pierce and Allen are more than capable of hurting a team......the home court will be the difference......how long can Pierce and Allen struggle.....much like LeBron...they can break out in any game......

Very true, but they are not getting the shots, unlike LBJ who is getting the shots and they are just not falling...

Well....that is a given.....difference in winning and losing for Cleveland.....first two games they struggled.....3/4 they hit shots.....

Well the thing is that they are hot now...hopefully he carries over...they shots are still going to be there...They were there in the first 2 games...

Unfortunately, the Cavs were held in the 70's in Boston......the Cavs just do not play at the same level on the road as they do at home.....the numbers do not lie.

Yeah but they were right there in game 1...We have outplayed the Celts for 3 of the 4 games with Lebron not playing good ball, the Celts now have tired legs, the Cavs are shooting the ball well, and other than Boston being at home lots of things are pointing towards the Cavs...

 

[OH10]

I'm not going to argue that Cleveland will win tonite, because I don't think they will, but I do think they CAN win.

LeBron will get his points, but the key will be the other players.........much like LeBron can have a huge game.....Pierce and Allen are more than capable of hurting a team......the home court will be the difference......how long can Pierce and Allen struggle.....much like LeBron...they can break out in any game......

Allen broke out a little in the third quarter the other night. Pierce had a strong end of the second quarter, after Lebron picked up his second bullshit foul call and third overall with 4:30 left in the half. Lebron is not getting enough credit for his defense on PP. If he can stay out of foul trouble, I don't see why can't continue to shut him down - and the same goes for Pierce on Lebron.

Well....that is a given.....difference in winning and losing for Cleveland.....first two games they struggled.....3/4 they hit shots.....

It is a crapshoot with the supporting cast. We'll see if they show up tonight.

Unfortunately, the Cavs were held in the 70's in Boston......the Cavs just do not play at the same level on the road as they do at home.....the numbers do not lie.

In the Washington series, the supporting cast played their best game in Game 6 on the road - and Delonte hit the game-winner in Game 4. Two losses on the road to a good team in Boston do not mean that they can't play on the road. It's probably more of an indicator that Boston is a much different team at home than they are on the road.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Just seems a little ridiculous to predict a blowout when there's nothing indicating (statistically speaking or momentum speaking) that one should happen. Not saying it's impossible, but if the Celtics were to blowout the Cavs, it would have just been a complete guess on your part.

3 of the 4 games have been by double digits......I never used the word blowout....I stated double digit win....not exactly calling a route.

Allen broke out a little in the third quarter the other night. Pierce had a strong end of the second quarter, after Lebron picked up his second bullshit foul call and third overall with 4:30 left in the half. Lebron is not getting enough credit for his defense on PP. If he can stay out of foul trouble, I don't see why can't continue to shut him down - and the same goes for Pierce on Lebron.

I think LeBron is doing a heck of a job on Pierce........and Ray Allen is being consistently doubled by whoever is guarding Rondo.....

It is a crapshoot with the supporting cast. We'll see if they show up tonight.

I couldn't agree more.......supporting cast for Boston plays well at home and on the road they struggled, same situation for Cleveland.

Like aside, there have only been two quarters in this entire series where you can say Boston really outplayed Cleveland (quarters 2 & 3 of game two).

and yet the series is tied 2-2....what does this really say? Cleveland has been outplaying Boston, yet still the series is tied with game 5 in Boston where Cleveland has lost 7-8 straight I believe? Not sure who has the big momentum right now.......

I'm not going to argue that Cleveland will win tonite, because I don't think they will, but I do think they CAN win.

Agree. They have LeBron.

Very true, but they are not getting the shots, unlike LBJ who is getting the shots and they are just not falling...

This is where Rondo needs to create more opportunities for Allen and Pierce......

If I had a say on strategy, I would go to Garnett early and often in the game tonight.....go through him.

 

[Piney]

This is where Rondo needs to create more opportunities for Allen and Pierce......

If I had a say on strategy, I would go to Garnett early and often in the game tonight.....go through him.

The problem for Boston is Cleveland is content letting Rondo create for himself, but are doing a great job of making sure he cannot create for other people. Which is a great defensive strategy and better yet they are pulling it off.

About Garnett... you are right. BUT, can Garnett do that? Interesting in an ESPN chat this afternoon their basketball scout/coach mentioned that Garnett looks afraid and shying from the ball as the game gets late. Basically he is an AROD type player. Great during the regular season but if you need him in the clutch good luck finding him.

After all of this, I think THAT is what is wrong with Boston. They are a front running team, when they are winning it comes easy for them. But in close games when things start getting tense they tighten up.

Garnett and Allen are two guys that cannot create on their own. They require people to feed them the ball and get them into their game. Get them to touch the ball in places that are not their comfort zone and they tighten up. Worse yet Garnett is not the type of guy that will demand the ball, so he disappears.

Pierce is the only one that can create for himself. The problem is historically speaking LeBron guards Pierce exceptionally well. LeBron is just a bad matchup for him.

So in the end, Boston will win this game if they can create a cushion of 6-10 points and maintain it (ie frontrunning like in Game 2). Cuz if there is 2-3 minutes left and Cleveland is within 1 or 2 possessions I can really see Boston struggling on the offensive end.

Game 1 was very similar to this scenario, It was Cleveland's game to win. But the problem was LeBron was so bad that night Cleveland couldn't close the game out. If LeBron is given a 2nd chance, I would not bet against him.

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

The problem for Boston is Cleveland is content letting Rondo create for himself, but are doing a great job of making sure he cannot create for other people. Which is a great defensive strategy and better yet they are pulling it off.

Good call, and give credit to Mike Brown for that. He takes alot of heat and rightfully so for his offensive sets (or lack there of) but he can sure coach defense.

 

[TRON]

Kidnap LBJ!

 

[Buckeye86]

Lebron is getting to the rim tonight, hopefully he continues to the whole game and things will be looking good for the Cavs.

 

[Buckeye86]

Wally stepping up big tonight too, two threes and eight points in the first quarter. Eliminate the turnovers and keep on rolling.

 

[Shivvy77]

Call me crazy but I swear that Sam Cassell looks like he is 78 years old.

 

[NFBuck]

I said the Celt's would be in trouble if LBJ starts to score and he's definately doing that tonight...lets keep it up.

 

[Shivvy77]

The celtics look old and tired. I am feeling Cavs in 6 all of a sudden.

 

[buckeyemania11]

the sure are trying their best to blow this