2023-24 Playoff Series #2 | Game #1 | Cavaliers @ Celtics | May 7, 2024

[MirORich]

If Dean Wade plays, and averages 20 points every 4th quarter, I like our chances.

Speak it into existence but after two months without game action, I doubt he plays

 

[jjvors]

Here are my predictions for all 7 possible games of the series and the possible outcomes of the series:

Game 1: 48% chance of victory 115-114 Cavs

Game 2: If Game 1 lost, Game 2 chance of victory 48% 112-111 Cavs

If Game 1 won, Game 2 chance of victory 45% 111-110

Game 3: If 1-1, chance of victory 51% Cavs 109-108

If 2-0, chance of victory 51% Cavs 115-110

If 0-2, chance of victory 44% Cavs 108-101

Game 4: If 2-1, chance of victory 50% Cavs 113-112

If 1-2, chance of victory 46%, Cavs 114--113

If 3-0, chance of victory 52% Cavs 119-118

If 0-3, chance of victory 45%, Cavs 111-110

Chance of Cavs winning 4-0 5.73% Chance of Celts winning 4-0 8.33% Ending in 4: 14.06%​ Going to 5 games= 85.94%​

Game 5, If 3-1, chance of victory 49%, Cavs 120-118

If 2-2, chance of victory 48%, Cavs 113-107

If 1-3, chance of victory 44%, Cavs 112-108

Chance of Cavs winning 4-1 11. 6% Chance of Celts winning 4-1 15.02% Going to 6 games= 59.32%​

Game 6, If 3-2 chance of victory 51%, Cavs 121-120

If 2-3 chance of victory 50%, Cavs 112-111

Chance of Cavs winning in 6, 14.83% Chance of Celts winning in 6, 15.12%

Game 7, 47% chance of victory 121-120 Cavs winning in 7: 14.76% Celts winning in 7: 16.64% Going to 7 games= 31.40%​ Overall Cavs chance of winning the series: 46.97% Overall Celts chance of winning: 55.11% ​ ​

 

[eChameleon]

Again, Cavs in 6.

 

[ShawnKempIsMyDad]

I think the Celtics could roll in Game 1 because they have been resting for the last week while the Cavs had to leave everything on the court to beat Orlando two days earlier. But the Cavs should get more competitive as the series goes on, just as they did after getting hammered by the Magic in Games 3 and 4.

I feel like long rests cause teams to come out soft and rusty.

 

[Peacedog]

Here are my predictions for all 7 possible games of the series and the possible outcomes of the series:

Game 1: 48% chance of victory 115-114 Cavs

Game 2: If Game 1 lost, Game 2 chance of victory 48% 112-111 Cavs

If Game 1 won, Game 2 chance of victory 45% 111-110

Game 3: If 1-1, chance of victory 51% Cavs 109-108

If 2-0, chance of victory 51% Cavs 115-110

If 0-2, chance of victory 44% Cavs 108-101

Game 4: If 2-1, chance of victory 50% Cavs 113-112

If 1-2, chance of victory 46%, Cavs 114--113

If 3-0, chance of victory 52% Cavs 119-118

If 0-3, chance of victory 45%, Cavs 111-110

Chance of Cavs winning 4-0 5.73% Chance of Celts winning 4-0 8.33% Ending in 4: 14.06%​ Going to 5 games= 85.94%​

Game 5, If 3-1, chance of victory 49%, Cavs 120-118

If 2-2, chance of victory 48%, Cavs 113-107

If 1-3, chance of victory 44%, Cavs 112-108

Chance of Cavs winning 4-1 11. 6% Chance of Celts winning 4-1 15.02% Going to 6 games= 59.32%​

Game 6, If 3-2 chance of victory 51%, Cavs 121-120

If 2-3 chance of victory 50%, Cavs 112-111

Chance of Cavs winning in 6, 14.83% Chance of Celts winning in 6, 15.12%

Game 7, 47% chance of victory 121-120 Cavs winning in 7: 14.76% Celts winning in 7: 16.64% Going to 7 games= 31.40%​ Overall Cavs chance of winning the series: 46.97% Overall Celts chance of winning: 55.11% ​ ​

In my simulation, I only had the Cavs with a 46.33% chance of coming out on top. Maybe a rounding error somewhere? But we're close.

 

[foucault87]

Time and time that has been show. I remember the year the Spurs swept the Cavs in the finals, we had beaten them both regular season meetings I think. It just doesn't translate to the playoffs in my opinion.

We also lost to Cha this year in the regular season. Thankfully they didn't make the 2nd round or we would get swept

 

[Futuredome]

1. Hopefully Garland takes more 3's with less length on the perimeter to deal with.
2. Mobley's balls drop and he stops over thinking on offense. A couple of 3's won't hurt.
3. Mitchell 's knee holds up.
4. Allen and Wade's injuries heal. Mostly Allen though Wade would be nice
5. Wings don't let the green turd rain 3's. A real worry(looking at you Okoro).

 

[jhernjh]

Do think Altman set up this team to go up against the Celtics of the world, so call me crazy but i feel like we have a chance. Strus (shot 40% from deep in 2 regular season games this year and last year's Playoffs in Boston) and LeVert (who had a 26 point game this season and a 41 point game last year, both in Boston) have had some very good games against Boston in Boston. Garland seems to be able to dance his way around Holiday and if Garland confidence is shot, bring in LeVert early. Donovan is a man on a mission heading into this series. And I like Mobleys chances against Horford on offense and doesnt have to deal with the 3 giraffes, like he did in Orlando.
Who are the weaker links on offense for Boston? I would say Holiday and Horford. Hope the Cavs defense can funnel the ball to those guys as much as possible.

 

[Melancholy Jaques]

I appreciate the write up but the regular season matchups are not very relevant. The Celtics were also up double digits the one game the Cavs won, before Dean went off with the quarter of his life. And he isn't playing.

The Cavs have been a poor team for months. Orlando out played them. They out scored the Cavs by over 5 points a game on average. That's a mediocre team without playoff experience. No Porzingis helps I guess but the Cavs are going down in 5. The games in Boston are pretty much unwinnable.

You might be an Eeyore. Maybe check and see if you can't get that fixed.

 

[Melancholy Jaques]

As a fan, this will be a more enjoyable series to watch. Losing against the Knicks and going toe to toe with a young team in Orlando along with the massive expectations on this Cavs team, getting to the second round was a big exhale. I wont be upset with the minute details and wont over react on losing since all pundits have us not winning the series. Do I want them to beat Boston? Heck yeah! But I wont be an emotional rollercoaster this time around if they get swept. Let's go cavs!

Careful. you're showing signs that you are a mentally healthy adult.

 

[bushwick_bill]

(I am going to assume none of these guys play this series except maybe Jerome).

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

My heart says Cavs in 6 my brain says Celtics in 6. I do feel we will win 2 games at least. We have matched up pretty well with Boston and Milwaukee last couple years and I think ppl are underestimating Orlando and that’s why we are not getting any chance. This team if they go in there and come out swinging start of game 1 this might be a series. I just don’t wanna lose every game by 20 plus points

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[RonG]

Time and time that has been show. I remember the year the Spurs swept the Cavs in the finals, we had beaten them both regular season meetings I think. It just doesn't translate to the playoffs in my opinion.

I'm not normally the guy to question if someone is actually a fan, however I just went and read all of your posts. Not one Positve or even a neutral post. The most close to neutral is the one I'm quoting.

At this point I'm of the belief you are just trolling.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Donovan scored 39 yesterday.

So let’s go back 39 seasons:

Game 1 Starters Boston Garden:

Cleveland (36-46):

PG John Bagley
SG World B Free
SF Phil Hubbard
PF Roy Hinson
C Mark West

Boston (63-19):

PG Dennis Johnson
SG Danny Ainge
SF Larry Bird (MVP)
PF Kevin McHale
C Robert Parrish

We were just a bit outmatched.

Boston 126-123 Cleveland

That team actually ran up 40 points on Boston in the third quarter.

George Karl coached his ass off that season (his first as NBA HC).

No fear.