A guidebook for exploiting playoff matchups

Wrote about the relative weaknesses of the top seeds in each conference, and who might be able to exploit them. An excerpt:

Weaknesses:Getting free throws, offensive rebounding, fouls, fefensive rebounding

Potential exploiters: Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls

The Celtics issues present a mirrored image on either side of the floor. They rarely get fouled and they rarely corral offensive rebounds; they also foul a ton and get hammered on the defensive glass. The Pistons and Heat present the same issues for Boston as they do for Cleveland, with Drummond and Whiteside having the ability to control the glass and prove painful to deal with. Chicago, with Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, could parade to the free-throw line against the Celtics if they don’t clean up their overall defense.

Unsurprisingly, Cleveland seems the most likely top-four seed to feast on Boston’s weaknesses. The Cavs rarely foul and they get to the line fairly often. They also have typically been a very strong rebounding team, even though that hasn’t been the case this season. Cleveland’s front line has been a huge thorn in the side of Al Horford-led front lines in the past and should present the same issues this postseason, assuming Kevin Love returns to full health.

Read the full story at The Step Back.