Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Eastern Conference Finals Preview
Celtics to face Cavaliers in ECF Rematch
The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers will face each other for the second straight year in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both teams have overcome some tough injuries during the regular season, as Kevin Love missed some time with a hand injury and the Celtics have also been without the services of Kyrie Irving.
These two franchises have faced some tough competition already throughout the playoffs. The Celtics are fresh off a five game Eastern Conference semifinal victory against a jacked up Philadelphia 76ers squad led by All-NBA center Joel Embiid. The Cavaliers have faced similar pressure, defeating an Indiana Pacers team that pushed their first round series to seven games in the first round.
Here’s a quick preview of what to expect in this Eastern Conference Final Rematch.
The Cavalier’s Improved Offense
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have flown through the playoffs, taking care of the Pacers and then sweeping DeMar DeRozan and the Raptors. At the same time, they’ve looked like a dangerous offensive team in the process.
A big part of the scoring explosion for Cleveland has been George Hill. He’s played some of his best basketball of the year thus far in the playoffs. Hill is averaging 12 points on 60 percent shooting in his last three contests, and his down-hill style of play has energized his teammates.
“It’s playoff basketball,” Hill said. after Cleveland’s series victory over the Raptors. “You don’t have time to have self-pity and think too much. You’ve just got to play, [and] play to win. That’s the only thing that we’ve got to focus on: just win the game. Don’t worry about match-ups. Don’t worry about who’s guarding who. Just worry about making plays for your teammates.”
Not only has George Hill been fantastic, but Kevin Love has finally arrived.
Beside a game one performance against the Raptors where he only scored 7 points, Love has averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds on 54 percent shooting in his last four contests. This is the improved play from him many envisioned after Irving’s trade to the Celtics.
Cleveland has also consistently exposed mismatches and forced the ball into his hands in the post, which has resulted in an offensive explosion by the former Minnesota superstar.
If the Cavaliers continue to make shots and surround LeBron James with capable offensive threats, this could turn into a long and arduous series for the C’s.
The Boston Celtics’ young trio making waves
The Celtics continue to overcome adversity, and their journey to the Eastern Conference Finals is quite extraordinary.
While Al Horford has played some fantastic two way basketball, much of the offensive burden has fallen on the trio of youngsters who led the Celtics to the playoffs in the first place. Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have all given meaningful contributions thus far in the playoffs, but it will be a test to see what they can do against the Finals-tested Cavaliers.
Jaylen Brown seemingly carried the Celtics in scoring in a physical first round against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, while Jayson Tatum took the reigns in the series against Ben Simmons and the 76ers.
Horford and Terry Rozier have also played extraordinarily in the clutch, and many of the pieces of the puzzle seem to be clicking right now for Boston.
It will be critical for the C’s to continue producing offensively, especially against one of the poorest defensive squads in the NBA in the Cavaliers.
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Game 1 Prediction
The Celtics play at home once again, and they haven’t lost thus far in the playoffs at the TD Garden. Game 1 will essentially dictate how the series goes, and it will be astronomically important for the Celtics to show no weakness at home if they want a chance to beat LeBron James and his Cavaliers.
Prediction: Celtics 105 Cavaliers 98