ECF: P2 | (2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers | Tied 2-2

[Fantaxp7]

I know the media will say "well they did what they were supposed to do" which while correct it still under sells the winning of those two games. Then they will continue to praise Lebron on his performance (hard not to by the numbers) and attack his supporting cast, while giving us little credit and saying it's still some fluke and that Cavs will bounce back.

Last night we took that heavy weight punch, absorbed it, processed it, felt it out and bounced back accordingly. And that is why I am optimistic, not certain, but optimistic we can win this series.

[binjumper]

On behalf of the Raptors I apologize for the series we just had with the Cavs.

[jonjames]

Media keeps underrating the Celtics. I learned my lesson last round.

They're not the most talented team (yet), they're just a very smart team.

If your team has a weakness, they will exploit it. Cleveland is a deeply flawed team.

I thought the Sixers were going to beat Boston in 6. After seeing Boston go up 3-0 against Philly and win the series in 5 I thought they had a very legitimate chance at making the NBA Finals. The reason is because Philly was statistically one of the best teams in the NBA this year from February onwards I believe after their early season struggles. IIRC Philly was a top 5 offensive and defensive team and had one of the highest net ratings during their hot streak which was for like 30+ games. IMO Philly is a better team than the Cavs. They were also very impressive aginst the Heat in the first round winning a few games by blowout so their hot streak wasn't a fluke. The Celtics are just this good. Much credit to Brad Stevens and their players for having a lot of heart and toughness.

[KHRICH]

Lebron had an amazing stat line but the effort defensively or hustle is terrible

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[Curmudgeon]

If the Celtics win game 3, the Cavs will fold. They have no pride; just look at the complete lack of defensive effort on so many plays.

[jirrit]

At this point I would not be surprised to see the Cavs get swept. I think the Cavs are happy that they beat the 59 win number 1 seed Toronto in the semis and made yet another ECF appearance. I can see a sense of contentment creeping in to the Cavs' collective mindset that "oh it's okay if we lose in the ECF cuz at least we swept the 59 win Raps which is an accomplishment by itself". If the Cavs lose game 3 after 3 days off to prepare then bring out the brooms. It's a sweep. That's what happened to the Lakers in 2011. After losing two close games to the Mavs in games 1 and 3 when they had small leads late in the 4th that broke them. They gave up and didn't even bother to come out to play in game 4 hence the blowout loss.

LBJ's not going to want to get swept. The Cavs players aren't going to want to get swept in front of their home court. No one is viewing beating the Raptors in the playoffs as some type of accomplishment.

How the series will go will ultimately come down to two factors: (1) Whether Lue rotates his players more frequently so his starters aren't exhausted on the court in the second half; and (2) whether one of JR, Hood, Clarkson, and/or J. Green can have a good game four games out of this series. Boston is younger, deeper, and more athletic. Lue cannot play his starters 10 minutes uninterrupted per quarter, every quarter, against that team.

These two factors are pretty related to: can JR, Hood, Clarkson and J. Green add something or not? At the moment they can't, this can still change at home off course but talent wise they're just not good enough IMO. It's up to them to prove me wrong in the next four. I think we didn't particularly shoot well, while the Cavs did and still they couldn't beat us down. I think this gives us another mental advantage.

The big edge here is HEART & HUSTLE and the Cavs havent showed anything to me that's close to these two words. That JR move says it all IMO.

[Gant]

Adding to the practically unprecedented saga of the Celtics, they keep advancing through the playoffs against supposedly better and better competition, and so far each stage gets easier for them.

Think about that. First they lose two all stars and Daniel Theis. That doesn't stop them. They still get the #2 seed.

Then the playoffs arrive and they are further hobbled by recent injuries to Larkin, Smart, and Brown.

Now, they keep winning by greater margins even as the the quality of the opponent increases.


Does anyone understand why the basic laws of basketball physics don't apply to this year's Boston Celtics?

[jbk1234]

At this point I would not be surprised to see the Cavs get swept. I think the Cavs are happy that they beat the 59 win number 1 seed Toronto in the semis and made yet another ECF appearance. I can see a sense of contentment creeping in to the Cavs' collective mindset that "oh it's okay if we lose in the ECF cuz at least we swept the 59 win Raps which is an accomplishment by itself". If the Cavs lose game 3 after 3 days off to prepare then bring out the brooms. It's a sweep. That's what happened to the Lakers in 2011. After losing two close games to the Mavs in games 1 and 3 when they had small leads late in the 4th that broke them. They gave up and didn't even bother to come out to play in game 4 hence the blowout loss.

LBJ's not going to want to get swept. The Cavs players aren't going to want to get swept in front of their home court. No one is viewing beating the Raptors in the playoffs as some type of accomplishment.

How the series will go will ultimately come down to two factors: (1) Whether Lue rotates his players more frequently so his starters aren't exhausted on the court in the second half; and (2) whether one of JR, Hood, Clarkson, and/or J. Green can have a good game four games out of this series. Boston is younger, deeper, and more athletic. Lue cannot play his starters 10 minutes uninterrupted per quarter, every quarter, against that team.

These two factors are pretty related to: can JR, Hood, Clarkson and J. Green add something or not? At the moment they can't, this can still change at home off course but talent wise they're just not good enough IMO. It's up to them to prove me wrong in the next four. I think we didn't particularly shoot well, while the Cavs did and still they couldn't beat us down. I think this gives us another mental advantage.

The big edge here is HEART & HUSTLE and the Cavs havent showed anything to me that's close to these two words. That JR move says it all IMO.

It's easy for posters to talk about heart and hustle when they're not in their 30s playing guys who are under 25 and who get a whole lot more rest because the bench is deeper.

In terms of the Cavs shooting well. Some players on the Cavs shot well. Our starting back court gave us 3 points the whole game. Even if they only give us 13 next game, that's 10 points. And although it's not the reason we lost, I don't think the Celtics will be the beneficiaries of the types of calls they got in the 4th quarter last night in Cleveland. That was a very favorable whistle.

[Stadium5]

Adding to the practically unprecedented saga of the Celtics, they keep advancing through the playoffs against supposedly better and better competition, and so far each stage gets easier for them.

Think about that. First they lose two all stars and Daniel Theis. That doesn't stop them. They still get the #2 seed.

Then the playoffs arrive and they are further hobbled by recent injuries to Larkin, Smart, and Brown.

Now, they keep winning by greater margins even as the the quality of the opponent increases.


Does anyone understand why the basic laws of basketball physics don't apply to this year's Boston Celtics?

The young guns that wanted it more than their competition now know they belong. With their confidence rising they'll only keep getting stronger. They trust each other defensively too

Man a GSW/BOS Finals would be amazing. Durant vs the team he should've chose

[drstarheel]

Has Vegas released the odds yet for Tony Brothers or Scott Foster to officiate game 3?

[infinite11285]

Media keeps underrating the Celtics. I learned my lesson last round.

They're not the most talented team (yet), they're just a very smart team.

If your team has a weakness, they will exploit it. Cleveland is a deeply flawed team.

I completely agree. I've seen enough to say I really like this Boston squad and I look forward to see what a healthy Hayward and Irving can bring to the table. As of now though, Cleveland is being exposed and completely outclassed.

[ballup]

Jaylen Brown is the 2nd best player in this series after Lebron. People are still doubting this kid and don't realize how good and fearless he is.

He's completely fearless. He's got really three things to work on this summer and if he improves in those areas look out. First is obviously free throws. Second and third is his mid range game in two areas. Right now he is elite at spot up 3 point shooting and driving to the basket. When teams game plan against that he goes quiet. So, his next step is to develop some dribble moves to create space for mid range shots and work on catch and shoot curling off screens.

Brown adds those components to his game and I think he becomes the team's first option on offense and a 25ppg scorer.

His dribbling and FT are weaknesses he should and will improve upon. What I disagree on is his midrange game and scoring outside of 3s and rim attacking. Jaylen shoots oh so slightly below average on mid range shots (39.5% IIRC). He has also shown flashes of turnaround fadeaways and post ups on smaller guards

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[Stadium5]

This series feels like that 2011 Mavs Lakers series

[FlatearthZorro]

Has Vegas released the odds yet for Tony Brothers or Scott Foster to officiate game 3?

I'd bet the % is higher than 70. The NBA needs to do something. And it will be both of them. Things aren't going well.

[Slax]

Has Vegas released the odds yet for Tony Brothers or Scott Foster to officiate game 3?

I'd bet the % is higher than 70. The NBA needs to do something. And it will be both of them. Things aren't going well.

Brothers maybe, but Foster already officiated a couple days ago. Conspiracy theories aside, they will probably spread the opportunity to officiate in a conference final around to other officials.

[Celts17Pride]

Media keeps underrating the Celtics.

and RealGM.

[Celts17Pride]

What the hell happened to Tatum today? Barely making an impact with 11 points. Tatum only averaging 13.5 ppg in the playoff series yet Celtics still winning?

Celtics are a TEAM. Celtics don't rely on 1 player. Tatum has been fine in the ECF.

[John Murdoch]

BOS/PHI was the real ECF

[Impuniti]

BOS/PHI was the real ECF

You mean Boston Bucks? Philly would have gotten swept if game 4 wasn't 5v8. Lets see what happens in game 3-4 before deeming this over though.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Interesting how people are saying that Philly would have beaten Cleveland.

Not sure I agree. Philly is really talented, but their late game execution was abysmal.

LeBron probably takes advantage of that in close games the way the Celtics did.