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

[Larry Legend 33]

For real. Celtics have only done what they were supposed to do - hold home court. If CLE takes games 3+4, it's advantage them imo.

According to many on this board & just about every paid analyst, we were "supposed to" get demolished.

Also don't understand how if BOS holds home court and CLE holds home court, somehow it's advantage CLE? Nope, the advantage would be with BOS because it's then best 2 of 3 when we have 2 home games? Once CLE wins on the road, it's advantage CLE. So the only upper-hand to be gained over the next 2 games is by Boston.

Playoff series are largely about momentum. If Cleveland wins games 3 and 4, I think the momentum swings their way, and then they basically have two shots to steal one from the Celtics in the Garden. Lebron has the ability to go off like he did last night, and if he gets fairly decent output from those around him - and I think that would be more possible if the Cavs get momentum by playing well and winning at home in G 3+4 - the Cavs could win in Boston. Remember they were up 11 at one point last night, and 7 at the half.

A lot of people thought the Bucks series was over after 2-0, and that went 7. Lebron is a big step above Giannis, and a momentum swing could get the others involved. It's not over, though I do think the Celtics have the clear advantage right now and will have a chance to steal one in Cleveland.

So would you concede right now it's advantage Boston? Because we have the current momentum and have to win 2/5 instead of 4/5.

[Iguodaladon]

Not sure it matters who wins here - GS will beat either even though there will be hope and it would be hilarious if Boston wins without Kyrie. Boston just matches up well vs. Cleveland - they are a terror defensively.

I think everybody gotta stop discounting Boston soon. They've been counted out in every series so far and come out victors

[Stillwater]

As expected, just like SuperDario, you also doubled down on the stupid instead of admitting the obvious. JR Smith was never in his career as skilled as J Brown is now at 21.

Skilled how ? all I see is a highly athletic defensive player with a developing offensive skillset. Smith had been a huge clutch shooter for most of his career,despite going cold again this season and flipping the switch for a few games and going cold again in this series.
Smith is streaky, he could come out and drain 7 treys game 3...I'll take that over the consistent defense of Brown that has no clutch factor , does that make him the better player, doesn't look like it in this series so far, but doesn't make it false. I agree Brown is on course to be a better player over the course of his career and if Smith doesn't find his shot he's better off riding the pine

Brown has been a better player offensively and defensively this year, by all standard and advanced metrics, as well as the eye test. Better 2p%, 3p%, eFG%, TS%, pts/g, pts/36, pts/100, ORtg, OWS, etc. And that's just the offensive side of the ball. It's not close.

That much I agree with. Does it mean much to what Smith has shown when he lights it up despite being few and far between at this point in his career. not really.At this point despite him playing solid defense in the post season and not so much in this series with the fact his shot has gone back to non existent(and it's him more than the Boston defense given he makes a living shooting in the face of high level defenders) I would bench him for game 3 and would bet he would easily come out and score 25 in game 4 as he has done in the face of adversity time and time again. The problem is Lue won't do that down 2-0.

[Lala870]

where did all these c's fans come from?

haven't seen this many since ive first visited this board

[FlatearthZorro]

where did all these c's fans come from?

haven't seen this many since ive first visited this board

You haven't been paying attention then.

[xfactor]

Read on Twitter

[G35]

Well, if the Cavs can't even get 13 points a game from their entire back court, for even one game, then the Celtics will probably sweep.

Well, you can't be talking about their entire back court. Korver had 11 points last night, and he's a big part of their back court whether he's starting or off the bench. Just because he didn't start doesn't mean his back court points don't count. Similarly, in Game 1, Clarkson and Hood had 21 combined, though I think a lot of that was in garbage time.

I do agree that a Hill-Smith starting back court is pretty pathetic. Hill/Korver with Smith off the bench is better imo, but Lue clearly went big+defensive with Hill/Smith and then starting both Love and Thompson in G2, which had some success. As G1 showed, CLE probably shouldn't go small to start with Hill/Korver/Smith like they did against TOR. BOS will punish them for it.

I agree.

Look, the Sacramento Kings were not happy with George Hill, he wasn't starting anymore....for the Kings. What are people really expecting from George Hill...32 year old George Hill.

This is what happens when you do the put all these superstars together and see what happens. It was similar in OKC, you can't have 3 individuals star at the same time....without a clear, defined system. Cleveland is an iso team, Lebron has already proclaimed that as well. Lebron has embraced the new NBA of put shooters around your best player and go for it.

Why isn't anyone complaining about this style of play? When one person dominates the ball so much, of course that one person is going to get all the assists and points. Other players only get what is given to them. None of the players traded to the Cavaliers was brought in to create EXCEPT Isiaiah Thomas and they traded him. The Cavaliers traded/acquired players for a 3 and D system:

Crowder
Green
JR Smith
Shumpert
Clarkson
Nance
Korver

When has any of these players been creators in their career? When?

Why are they expected to do that now, in the playoffs when they have never been asked to do that in their career. Kyrie was the perfect complement to Lebron and Lebron (and many of Lebron-fans) did not appreciate that enough. If you are going to go all in on 3 and D with Lebron orchestrating everything, Kyrie is as good as it gets. No one else in the NBA can be that isolation heavy with great success without being the primary facilitator.

Kyrie was underappreciated.

This style was good enough to get through the East with Kyrie, but without him you cannot stock your team with 3 and D and then complain when they are not creators or facilitators......

[Celts17Pride]

If Celtics win a game in Cleveland over the next two this series will be done in 5 games. Next two games huge for the Cavs. Will they show up?

[ISayshowmee]

Time to look forward to Game 3. Keys to winning the next game:

Celtics - Start Hot !! Do not allow Cavs to separate themselves at the start of the game. Cavs will throw everything at this game if they have any hopes of winning the series. Celtics needs to cut down on turnovers, be mentally sharp.

Cavs - If Cavs can get 15-20 points from the non producers like Jeff Green, George Hill, Jr. Smith, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson.....they have a great chance at extending this series. Hustle Hustle Hustle....so far the upstart Celtics have beaten them quite badly in this department. I expect LeBron to get his teammates involve early.....only way they can beat the Celts.

Prediction: Cavs will play in desperation mode....will win going away.

[Celts17Pride]

Time to look forward to Game 3. Keys to winning the next game:

Celtics - Start Hot !! Do not allow Cavs to separate themselves at the start of the game. Cavs will throw everything at this game if they have any hopes of winning the series. Celtics needs to cut down on turnovers, be mentally sharp.

Cavs - If Cavs can get 15-20 points from the non producers like Jeff Green, George Hill, Jr. Smith, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson.....they have a great chance at extending this series. Hustle Hustle Hustle....so far the upstart Celtics have beaten them quite badly in this department. I expect LeBron to get his teammates involve early.....only way they can beat the Celts.

Prediction: Cavs will play in desperation mode....will win going away.

Counting on Green, Hill, Smith, Hood and Clarkson?

Good Luck with that.

[Impuniti]

Read on Twitter

That picture is perfect. He looks so evil.

[ISayshowmee]

Time to look forward to Game 3. Keys to winning the next game:

Celtics - Start Hot !! Do not allow Cavs to separate themselves at the start of the game. Cavs will throw everything at this game if they have any hopes of winning the series. Celtics needs to cut down on turnovers, be mentally sharp.

Cavs - If Cavs can get 15-20 points from the non producers like Jeff Green, George Hill, Jr. Smith, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson.....they have a great chance at extending this series. Hustle Hustle Hustle....so far the upstart Celtics have beaten them quite badly in this department. I expect LeBron to get his teammates involve early.....only way they can beat the Celts.

Prediction: Cavs will play in desperation mode....will win going away.

Counting on Green, Hill, Smith, Hood and Clarkson?

Good Luck with that.

Pretty much......this is quite obvious. Reason why Celtics has a better chance to reach the finals than the Cavs unless these guys stop being spectators....

[Celts17Pride]

Time to look forward to Game 3. Keys to winning the next game:

Celtics - Start Hot !! Do not allow Cavs to separate themselves at the start of the game. Cavs will throw everything at this game if they have any hopes of winning the series. Celtics needs to cut down on turnovers, be mentally sharp.

Cavs - If Cavs can get 15-20 points from the non producers like Jeff Green, George Hill, Jr. Smith, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson.....they have a great chance at extending this series. Hustle Hustle Hustle....so far the upstart Celtics have beaten them quite badly in this department. I expect LeBron to get his teammates involve early.....only way they can beat the Celts.

Prediction: Cavs will play in desperation mode....will win going away.

Counting on Green, Hill, Smith, Hood and Clarkson?

Good Luck with that.

Pretty much......this is quite obvious. Reason why Celtics has a better chance to reach the finals than the Cavs unless these guys stop being spectators....

Don’t disagree but I’ve seen absolutely nothing that would give me any kind of hope that those 5 players are going to play any differently

[Cyrusman122000]

How big is the coaching gap in your opinion between Tyronn Lue and Brad Stevens?
Use two players as an example to demonstrate the gap

[G35]

How big is the coaching gap in your opinion between Tyronn Lue and Brad Stevens?
Use two players as an example to demonstrate the gap

Kevin Love vs Al Horford

How is it that Al Horford is now considered a bigger factor than Al Horford.

I think people likely feel Horford is even more talented than Kevin Love now.......

[Scarletfire81]

Read on Twitter

The only thing that bothers me is if Danny Ainge fleeces too many teams he may have a hard time making deals in the future. But I guess I we'll see.

[Baller1234a]

Read on Twitter

The only thing that bothers me is if Danny Ainge fleeces too many teams he may have a hard time making deals in the future. But I guess I we'll see.

GMs have Egos too. They want to be the first to “fleece” Danny Ainge.

[Green_teamer]

If the Celtics can steal one in Cleveland this series Will end in 5. If they don't it's going 7

[Scarletfire81]

If the Celtics can steal one in Cleveland this series Will end in 5. If they don't it's going 7

You are forgetting one scenario, them winning 2 games in a row in Cleveland.

[Green_teamer]

If the Celtics can steal one in Cleveland this series Will end in 5. If they don't it's going 7

You are forgetting one scenario, them winning 2 games in a row in Cleveland.

Lol ya but I just can't envision any scenario where Lebron gets swept. But thats definitely what I want to happen lol