ECF: P1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers | BOS 2-0

[radcot]

Check out who started the ref-whining. There were non-calls at both ends of the floor at the end of game 5.

[Warchant]

The big question in this series is: Which team is going to dictate the matchups? If Cleveland starts the Love at center lineup, then the paint should be fairly vulnerable. The Celtics have a lot of players that are more than happy to take the ball into the paint. Also, with that starting five for the Cavs, I'd expect Ojeleye to start. A lot of folks will think Morris starts, but Stevens probably doesn't want to lose his scoring for the second unit.

Hill vs Rozier
Smith vs Brown
Korver vs Tatum
James vs Ojeleye
Love vs Horford

Cleveland's defensive plan would have to be collapse the paint, and cut off the passing angles. The Celtics decision making when they drive into the paint is going to be a big factor in this series. With good ball movement, they should force rotations and get open shooters. Cleveland will be looking to swipe the ball as the Celtics drive, so they are going to have to keep the ball protected or move their arms as they drive to try to get to the line. If the Celtics can take advantage of that lineup by attacking the paint, it could force Lue/LeBron to make some changes.

Toronto matched up well against Washington because they could use Valanciunas in their regular rotation, and he was a big part of that team's success in the paint. Lowry and Derozan were capable scorers in the paint, but most of their other players were perimeter shooters. Once Cleveland dictated the matchups Toronto wasn't able to counter it.

The Cavs should be able to hide Korver on Ojeleye, and although he's shown flashes here and there, he's basically just a spot up three point shooter right now. Getting Korver in foul trouble early, or abusing him in the paint would help the Celtics defense a decent amount. So, Ojeleye setting screens and popping out to the three point line and making his shots could be a big factor in dictating what Cleveland wants to do defensively.

Ojeleye should do nothing but camp out right outside the paint and punish the smaller Korver on the offensive boards once the shot goes up....hanging out at the 3 pt line is doing exactly what the Cavs want

[Crossy2008]

The big question in this series is: Which team is going to dictate the matchups? If Cleveland starts the Love at center lineup, then the paint should be fairly vulnerable. The Celtics have a lot of players that are more than happy to take the ball into the paint. Also, with that starting five for the Cavs, I'd expect Ojeleye to start. A lot of folks will think Morris starts, but Stevens probably doesn't want to lose his scoring for the second unit.

Hill vs Rozier
Smith vs Brown
Korver vs Tatum
James vs Ojeleye
Love vs Horford

Cleveland's defensive plan would have to be collapse the paint, and cut off the passing angles. The Celtics decision making when they drive into the paint is going to be a big factor in this series. With good ball movement, they should force rotations and get open shooters. Cleveland will be looking to swipe the ball as the Celtics drive, so they are going to have to keep the ball protected or move their arms as they drive to try to get to the line. If the Celtics can take advantage of that lineup by attacking the paint, it could force Lue/LeBron to make some changes.

Toronto matched up well against Washington because they could use Valanciunas in their regular rotation, and he was a big part of that team's success in the paint. Lowry and Derozan were capable scorers in the paint, but most of their other players were perimeter shooters. Once Cleveland dictated the matchups Toronto wasn't able to counter it.

The Cavs should be able to hide Korver on Ojeleye, and although he's shown flashes here and there, he's basically just a spot up three point shooter right now. Getting Korver in foul trouble early, or abusing him in the paint would help the Celtics defense a decent amount. So, Ojeleye setting screens and popping out to the three point line and making his shots could be a big factor in dictating what Cleveland wants to do defensively.

Ojeleye should do nothing but camp out right outside the paint and punish the smaller Korver on the offensive boards once the shot goes up....hanging out at the 3 pt line is doing exactly what the Cavs want

He's not there yet. He can hit the three and play great defense. If they decide to help off him, he will get an open three, or cause a rotation that will likely lead to an open shooter. His goal on the offensive end is to space the floor, and make them pay if they slack off him. Tatum, Brown, Smart, Horford or Morris will be the ones trying to abuse him down low if they get the matchup.

[Warchant]

The big question in this series is: Which team is going to dictate the matchups? If Cleveland starts the Love at center lineup, then the paint should be fairly vulnerable. The Celtics have a lot of players that are more than happy to take the ball into the paint. Also, with that starting five for the Cavs, I'd expect Ojeleye to start. A lot of folks will think Morris starts, but Stevens probably doesn't want to lose his scoring for the second unit.

Hill vs Rozier
Smith vs Brown
Korver vs Tatum
James vs Ojeleye
Love vs Horford

Cleveland's defensive plan would have to be collapse the paint, and cut off the passing angles. The Celtics decision making when they drive into the paint is going to be a big factor in this series. With good ball movement, they should force rotations and get open shooters. Cleveland will be looking to swipe the ball as the Celtics drive, so they are going to have to keep the ball protected or move their arms as they drive to try to get to the line. If the Celtics can take advantage of that lineup by attacking the paint, it could force Lue/LeBron to make some changes.

Toronto matched up well against Washington because they could use Valanciunas in their regular rotation, and he was a big part of that team's success in the paint. Lowry and Derozan were capable scorers in the paint, but most of their other players were perimeter shooters. Once Cleveland dictated the matchups Toronto wasn't able to counter it.

The Cavs should be able to hide Korver on Ojeleye, and although he's shown flashes here and there, he's basically just a spot up three point shooter right now. Getting Korver in foul trouble early, or abusing him in the paint would help the Celtics defense a decent amount. So, Ojeleye setting screens and popping out to the three point line and making his shots could be a big factor in dictating what Cleveland wants to do defensively.

Ojeleye should do nothing but camp out right outside the paint and punish the smaller Korver on the offensive boards once the shot goes up....hanging out at the 3 pt line is doing exactly what the Cavs want

He's not there yet. He can hit the three and play great defense. If they decide to help off him, he will get an open three, or cause a rotation that will likely lead to an open shooter. His goal on the offensive end is to space the floor, and make them pay if they slack off him. Tatum, Brown, Smart, Horford or Morris will be the ones trying to abuse him down low if they get the matchup.

Not sure I understand.....Semi is a 32% 3 pt shooter...he is gonna space the floor?

[hype_2004]

Lebron will win this series, I'll bet my life savings on it. Golden State will beat Houston and will set up another boring Cavs-Warriors finals which set up the Warriors to win the title and Lebron potentially leaving the Cavs to join Philadelphia to ring chase Michael Jordan's enormous shadow. NBA has planned this and it will happen, not fooling me anymore, entertainment and drama at its finest!

[LeBird]

Lebron will win this series, I'll bet my life savings on it. Golden State will beat Houston and will set up another boring Cavs-Warriors finals which set up the Warriors to win the title and Lebron potentially leaving the Cavs to join Philadelphia to ring chase Michael Jordan's enormous shadow. NBA has planned this and it will happen, not fooling me anymore, entertainment and drama at its finest!

[Triple M]

Hill vs Rozier
Smith vs Brown
Korver vs Tatum

i keep coming back to this but the Celtics got to win those match ups decisively especially with no rim protection for the Cavs

i expect to see Baynes start but i don't love the idea of Al guarding Bron to start but maybe the hope is Bron isn't as aggressive to start games

[Crossy2008]

He's not there yet. He can hit the three and play great defense. If they decide to help off him, he will get an open three, or cause a rotation that will likely lead to an open shooter. His goal on the offensive end is to space the floor, and make them pay if they slack off him. Tatum, Brown, Smart, Horford or Morris will be the ones trying to abuse him down low if they get the matchup.

Not sure I understand.....Semi is a 32% 3 pt shooter...he is gonna space the floor?

He's a rookie, so 32% isn't too unusual, and he only gets a couple attempts a game, so it's not like he gets a chance to heat up. He has a good three point shot, and has had 3 for 3 games, but more often than not he rotates the ball to a more open shot.

If Semi does start, I wouldn't be surprised if Cleveland used your logic and just left him open and dared him to shoot. He shot 42.4% last season at SMU on nearly 5 attempts per game. He's really out there for defense and his 6 fouls, but depending on how much they sag off of him, he could provide some scoring.

[PierceFan4ever]

The NBA admitted that Embiid was fouled with 14 seconds remaining.
The NBA admitted that Celtics traveled with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Boston haven't really earned their place in the Conference Finals sadly.

If it weren't for the refs, the series likely would have been a sweep.

It's mind-boggling Celtic fans say this about a double-digit loss. Have some pride.

You lost in 5 against a team missing their 2 best players. Go away and take the L

[JoeBarryCaroll]

In 2016 Boston lost to Clevalnd in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 0

In 2017 Boston lost to Cleveland in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 1

If Cleveland sweeps Boston this year should Stevens be fired?? Of course not. But Dwayne Casey was fired even though his record in the playoffs vs the Cavs is about the same or slightly better than Stevens....

I hope you aren't serious.
These 3 teams are totally different unlike raptors.
2015: celtics were trash, a miracle we were able to go to playoffs. Thomas wasn't an all-star, he was playing as a 6man and the starting lineup was smart, bradley, turner, bass, zeller.
2017: thomas was injured during the entire playoffs, especially against cavs where he wasn't able to play, is like if raptors didn't have their main scorer in derozan.
2018: only 4 players are the same, horford, brown, rozier and smart. And we are missing 2 all stars.

So can I read it right to understand that IF Boston gets swept by Cleveland you are ok with it and it's relatively within expectations being out 2 all stars and all??

[Darth Celtic]

If it weren't for the refs, the series likely would have been a sweep.

It's mind-boggling Celtic fans say this about a double-digit loss. Have some pride.

You lost in 5 against a team missing their 2 best players. Go away and take the L

Is this the celtics vs cavs/sixers thread? Nope.

[Darth Celtic]

In 2016 Boston lost to Clevalnd in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 0

In 2017 Boston lost to Cleveland in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 1

If Cleveland sweeps Boston this year should Stevens be fired?? Of course not. But Dwayne Casey was fired even though his record in the playoffs vs the Cavs is about the same or slightly better than Stevens....

I hope you aren't serious.
These 3 teams are totally different unlike raptors.
2015: celtics were trash, a miracle we were able to go to playoffs. Thomas wasn't an all-star, he was playing as a 6man and the starting lineup was smart, bradley, turner, bass, zeller.
2017: thomas was injured during the entire playoffs, especially against cavs where he wasn't able to play, is like if raptors didn't have their main scorer in derozan.
2018: only 4 players are the same, horford, brown, rozier and smart. And we are missing 2 all stars.

So can I read it right to understand that IF Boston gets swept by Cleveland you are ok with it and it's relatively within expectations being out 2 all stars and all??

All c's fans want to win, but all c's fans know it's house money. I keep having to say this, sure we want to win, but there won't be any sky is falling threads if we lose in 4 or FIRE THE COACH AND TRADE EVERYONE threads either.

[ajones9219]

In 2016 Boston lost to Clevalnd in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 0

In 2017 Boston lost to Cleveland in the Eastern Conf playoffs 4 games to 1

If Cleveland sweeps Boston this year should Stevens be fired?? Of course not. But Dwayne Casey was fired even though his record in the playoffs vs the Cavs is about the same or slightly better than Stevens....

I hope you aren't serious.
These 3 teams are totally different unlike raptors.
2015: celtics were trash, a miracle we were able to go to playoffs. Thomas wasn't an all-star, he was playing as a 6man and the starting lineup was smart, bradley, turner, bass, zeller.
2017: thomas was injured during the entire playoffs, especially against cavs where he wasn't able to play, is like if raptors didn't have their main scorer in derozan.
2018: only 4 players are the same, horford, brown, rozier and smart. And we are missing 2 all stars.

So can I read it right to understand that IF Boston gets swept by Cleveland you are ok with it and it's relatively within expectations being out 2 all stars and all??

I can't speak for him but I personally wouldn't be surprised either way. After LeBron I think we have 3 of the next 4 best players in the series but LeBron by far the best player so we'll see

[Guest202]

Lebron will win this series, I'll bet my life savings on it. Golden State will beat Houston and will set up another boring Cavs-Warriors finals which set up the Warriors to win the title and Lebron potentially leaving the Cavs to join Philadelphia to ring chase Michael Jordan's enormous shadow. NBA has planned this and it will happen, not fooling me anymore, entertainment and drama at its finest!

Ring chasing is way too risky and usually doesn't work out. I don't want him, but if Lakers gives him some crazy max deal, why would he turn it down? Expectations are low and LA sets up rest of his life.

If the ring chasing doesn't work in Philly-Houston, he spent the last of his prime in a low tier city ring chasing. Bad look.

[Vandal Savage]

[KyRo23]

The odd thing about this picture is that LeBron's head on his actual body is the one that looks like least like it belongs...

[bb22]

Marcus Morris claiming to be the best Lebron defender outside of Kawhi is a fairly bold statement leading up to their ECFs matchup...

[ballup]

Marcus Morris claiming to be the best Lebron defender outside of Kawhi is a fairly bold statement leading up to their ECFs matchup...

The list for who can defend Lebron effectively is a really short list anyways. Crazy how Morris left off broken AC units.


Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[Curmudgeon]

Here is the list of players who can defend LeBron effectively:

[ajones9219]

That doesn't look like anything to me