Cleveland Cavaliers/Boston Celtics Game 2 Analysis
16 Wins A Ring Writers offer 3 different perspectives on ECF, Game 2 results: Cavaliers 130 — Celtics 86
Cavaliers Analysis by Brendan Vogt
What Worked:
For the sake of accuracy, I hope the staff at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts were watching on Friday Night. Because if they were, then surely they removed their print of Paul Revere’s infamous “Boston Massacre” engraving, and replaced it with this image:
Cleveland turned in one of the most complete playoff performances of all time as they eviscerated the Boston Celtics 130–86. That’s a 44-point margin of victory, and it’s not one that ballooned in garbage time.
The Cavs pulled their starters with most of the 4th quarter still remaining after building a 50-point lead. No, that is not a typo. The Cleveland Cavaliers lead by 50 points in the semi finals of the most competitive basketball tournament in the world.
Here’s a list of highlights from the performance:
- Shot 48.7% from deep on 39 attempts.
- The Celtics’ 44-point loss is the largest margin of defeat for a №1 seed in NBA playoff history.
- The Cavs 130 points is a franchise record for a postseason game.
- LeBron James finished +46, the highest +/- in any game in his career (regular season or playoffs)
- With 5:35 remaining in the 4th quarter, the Celtics had only scored 73 points. Cleveland’s big three had scored 74.
Lessons Learned:
Nothing went wrong for Cleveland’s basketball team on Friday night, although the day started with what is likely a disappointment for LeBron James.
The 2017 MVP Award finalists were unveiled before the game, and it did not go well for ‘Bron. Somehow, someway, he was not one of them. Putting the atrocity that was committed here aside, James did what he usually does with hate or doubt. He turned it into ammunition, and put it in the chamber. When the NBA announced their finalists, they snubbed LeBron, but they doomed the Boston Celtics.
The King lined the C’s up like props for target practice, and knocked them down with the grace and style of Jim Street. It was methodical, it was effortless, it was greatness realized — LeBron James actualized.
Stats: 32 minutes — 30 points — 7 assists — 4 steals — 3 blocks — 66.7% from the field — 66.7% from deep.
Analysis: **Jaw drops to floor, begins to drool**
Game 3 Adjustment:
One thing Cleveland could try doing differently is shooting with their left hands. That wouldn’t make anything easier, but it might make this series competitive.
As of now, it looks like the third installment of the Cleveland — Golden State saga is inevitable. Barring any injuries, this series is already over. Which brings us to the only change that could possibly be suggested to a team performing this well: rest your starters even more.
To be fair, the Cavs had their bench in for the majority of the final quarter, but an injury to one of their big three is the only thing that could derail them right now.
Yes, there’s something to be said for not just winning the game, but draining your opponent of their will to compete. But, there will be way more said of the decision to keep LeBron in the game with a 30-point lead if he blows out a knee.
Game 3 Prediction:
It’s really hard to believe, but after the most dominant back-to-back playoff performances of any team LeBron has played for, this series is headed to Cleveland for the first time. If Boston has any fight left in them, they deserve all the credit in the world if their able to tap into it for game three. They didn’t just lose twice at home. They were beaten down, demoralized, and disemboweled in front of their home fans.
Now they face the near-impossible task of toppling LeBron James version 14.0, down two games to none, with the next two games being played on the road. Good luck with that.
Cleveland will win game 3. The better question is: by how many points?
(Stats from ESPN Stats & Info, TNT, and NBA.com)
Celtics Analysis by Danny Emerman
What Worked:
Like in Game 1, Jaylen Brown was unafraid. He wasn’t perfect, but he produced for the Celtics. The rookie has improved so much throughout the season and withstood his rookie slump, which unfortunately occurred in the first two rounds. Although about half of his numbers came in garbage time, Brown led the team with 19 points on 7 of 11 shooting. This series is proof he will be a solid NBA player and eventually a starter in green.
As a team, the Celtics did a much better job on the defensive glass. They committed as much as three defenders to boxing out Tristan Thompson. The Celtics 39 rebounds were barely shy of the Cavaliers 45. In fact, Boston had more offensive boards (10) than Cleveland did (9).
Lessons Learned:
I didn’t think it could be worse than Game 1 for the Celtics. I was incredibly wrong. I didn’t think Isaiah Thomas could play any worse. His 2 points — though he did leave the game after halftime with a hip injury — proved me wrong. I didn’t think it was too much to ask for Al Horford, the $30 million man, to show up like he did in the first two rounds.
The game was over at halftime.
The Celtics scored 31 first half points. That’s a disgrace to the sport. Much of it was Cleveland’s impressive interior defense, but the Celtics also shot themselves in the foot numerous times with unforced turnovers. They came out of the gates scared, just like in Game 1, and missed wide open shots from everywhere on the floor — corner threes, catch-and-shoots, bunnies in the paint, and direct looks at the rim. Boston shot 27 percent from the field in the first half.
The Cavaliers dropped 72 in the first half. Boston had no chance stopping any of Cleveland’s stars. James, Irving, and Love combined for 54 first half points on 61 percent (20 of 33) shooting. To top it all off, Cleveland’s secondary scorers hit their open shots en route to a 10 of 22 three-point barrage.
The 41-point halftime deficit set an NBA playoff record. Embarrassing.
Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley were literally playing “Go-Fish” at halftime. Cleveland has led every minute of the series. 96 minutes of domination.
Game 3 Adjustment:
There’s nothing the Celtics can do at this point. Heading into Cleveland for games 3 and 4, the Celtics are so mentally destroyed by LeBron and co. Unlock the broom closet.
The only adjustments they can make are: 1. Hope to make your open jump shots and 2. Pray.
Also, don’t start Gerald Green. He’s a joke on defense and has no business in this series.
Any change in strategy the Celtics can possibly make is negated by LeBron James’ brilliance. He had another 30 point game, his eighth straight in the playoffs. Ho hum. His 12 of 18 performance was arguably more impressive than his 38/9/7 line in Game 1. He only played 33 minutes was a plus +46. He was sinking his perimeter jump shots all game, no matter which sorry Boston defender was tasked with guarding him. When Bron is stroking it from the outside — goodnight.
Kevin Love also had another solid game, recording 21 points and 12 rebounds while sinking roughly half (4 of 9) of his three-pointers.
Game 3 Prediction:
Cavs win in a blowout in front of their home crowd. LeBron rests in the fourth quarter and Kyrie Irving carries the team offensively. Jaylen Brown continues to thrive, as he is the only Celtic playing with confidence.
Neutral Analysis by Tamberlyn Richardson
Why Cavaliers Won:
Leading by a single point (11–10) at 6:35 of the opening quarter Cleveland called time-out. When the teams returned to the court the Celtics were held scoreless for over 3 minutes while the Cavs went on a 12–0 run and by the end of the quarter had a 14 point lead. The game was already over, though a 40 to 13 point, second quarter shellacking only served to rub salt into Boston’s wide open wound.
Isolating on what the Cavs did well feels akin to entering one of those glass booths with an air vent swirling money around and being asked to grab a bill. That said, Cleveland’s front court continues to annihilate their Celtic’s counterparts. LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson doubled every stat category with 58 points 18 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals. Meanwhile the trio of Gerald Green, Al Horford and Jae Crowder combined for 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Entering the series this was always going to be an issue. Jae Crowder has been exposed, Kelly Olynyk’s offense isn’t enough to offset his defensive liabilities, Amir Johnson’s glass ankles have caught up to him and Al Horford isn’t able to counter Thompson’s size or Love’s versatility.
Why Celtics Lost:
Never underestimate the value of rest or effect confidence can have on a series. Gone are the gritty, feisty Celtics squad who battled the Hawks and Wizards. They’ve been replaced with a team who look completely demoralized. Considering the smallest (and injured) player, rookie (Brown) and coach Brad Stevens appear to be the only Celtics angry over the series of events, it doesn’t bode well for the team in green .
Boston’s frontcourt (as per above) has been severely outplayed. The scary thing is Cleveland’s starting backcourt (Kyrie Irving and JR Smith) has yet to produce a typical series breakout game. If and when they do we could be looking at a 60 or 70 point game differential.
Obviously Thomas being less than 100 percent isn’t helping the Celtic’s cause. But, turning the ball over 21 times for 23 easy scoring opportunities and losing the fast break battle 24–11 are both recipes for disaster.
Game 3 Adjustment:
Status quo for the Cavaliers, though Ty Lue might want to watch his stars minutes to make sure they are 100 percent heading into the finals.
As for the Celtics, they need to summon their pride and at the very least respond to the celebrations occurring instead of hanging their heads. The series may already be figuratively over, but how the Celtics compete in these next two games will go a long way to building their character and identity for the future.
Game 3 Prediction:
Barring the Celtics locating their pride, the next 2 games on Cleveland’s home turf will be more of the same. The only question is how much the point differential will be.
