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

[Wham with the Right Hand]

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

I also think Orlando is better than people think. They were 23-12 the last 35 games, which equates to a 54-win season. The Celtics won 60.

The Celtics are extremely skillful at the game of basketball. During the regular season they ranked 2nd in 3-point percentage while Orlando ranked 26th. But Orlando is much bigger, younger, and more physical, especially with Porzingis out.

The Celtics had the lowest turnover percentage in the NBA and they were also first in effective field goal percentage. They were 9th in assists per possession. They are superb shooters, pass well, and protect the ball. I would say they are more of a skill-based team while the Magic are all about physicality.

The Cavs are also more skill-based, IMO. I don't think any of us sees them as a group of bully boys, not with two small guards and a couple of skinny bigs. So this series will be between two teams that try to win on basketball skills. The Celtics aren't a bunch of 6'10" goons try to win through intimidation. This could be a great series to watch if you're into basketball skills rather than relentless body slamming.

On defense the Celtics play conservative, ranking 27th in steals and 28th in forcing turnovers. But they are great at contesting shots with the second lowest opponent eFG in the league.

This could help the Cavaliers since they can be turnover prone (cough, cough, Darius). The Celtics don't try to steal passes and force turnovers (or maybe they just aren't good at it). So the Cavs should be able to avoid excessive turnovers and get their shots off. If Garland, Mitchell, and LeVert can get dribble penetraion the Celtics don't have any seven-footers to contest the lobs and with Porzingis out their rim protection is diminished.

If 37.9 year old Al Horford is playing center I would attack the rim relentlessly with Mitchell, Garland, LeVert, Okoro, and Strus. I'm not sure what his vertical jump is now, but he's no Porzingus when it comes to blocking shots. He can't afford to get in foul trouble and have Luke Kornet playing major minutes. And if Kornet is in I would still attack the rim.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Damn, I just noticed the Cavs hit 41.7% of their 3's against the Celtics this year. However, if you take out Wade (45%) and Niang (57%) it's not as impressive. Wade won't play and I doubt Niang will. Although Georges is 4-for-7 on 3's against Boston so maybe JBB gives him another shot.

Mitchell only hit 33.3% on 3's but Garland hit 43.5%, LeVert and Strus 40.0%, and Okoro 54.5%.

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[American Hero]

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.

It's not a good team and they're not playing good basketball. They haven't in a while. I'm a fan of the Cavs in general but it'd not working (roster and coaching) in my opinion.

I think it's wild how people bounce back and forth between "this team stinks, fire everyone, trade everyone" to we can beat the best team in the conference. I'm realistic about this not being a very good team.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

If Allen plays we beat the Celtics in 6 games. No Allen we lose 4-1
The Celtics can’t hang with us on the glass but on the other side the Celtics are not the Magic from outside. We give them the looks we gave Orlando and this series will be over real quick!

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[RonG]

It's not a good team and they're not playing good basketball. They haven't in a while. I'm a fan of the Cavs in general but it'd not working (roster and coaching) in my opinion.

I think it's wild how people bounce back and forth between "this team stinks, fire everyone, trade everyone" to we can beat the best team in the conference. I'm realistic about this not being a very good team.

I guess you need to look of the definition of fanatic, or fan for short.


I'm not expecting you to be all roses but take a minute like I did and go actually read all of your posts.

Anyways that's my 2 cents worth what you paid for it. I have been on this site long enough to call a spade a spade. I'm also man enough to admit when I'm wrong, so I hope you prove me wrong.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Another potential age issue is at point guard where Jrue Holiday turns 34 next month. He can still play, averaging 12.5 points and 4.4 assists on 48% from the field and 43% from deep. You can’t leave him open. But I wonder if he can stay in front of Garland and LeVert. He averaged 33 minutes per game in 69 games this year so he’s in great shape. Against the Heat, however, he shot only 35% and 37%.

I agreed with just about everything else you wrote, but I worry that Holiday defending DG is a big advantage for the C's.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

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

And if he does, it is likely to be a clang-fest.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Donovan scored 39 yesterday.

So let’s go back 39 seasons:

Oh yes, that clearly tracks.

 

[N7RobBob]

3 weak grounder to the 1st base side.

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

Is there anywhere to watch replays for games?

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

It's not a good team and they're not playing good basketball. They haven't in a while. I'm a fan of the Cavs in general but it'd not working (roster and coaching) in my opinion.

I think it's wild how people bounce back and forth between "this team stinks, fire everyone, trade everyone" to we can beat the best team in the conference. I'm realistic about this not being a very good team.

Is called being a die hard fan dude. We love this team and bleed for this team but to say this team is not good is just wrong. Are we contenders no but are we raising our ceiling yes. It took Boston how long to be contenders? Or Denver? Milwaukee? It doesn’t happen with success but with failures in between and you know what we fucking dig it. So welcome to the brotherhood or GTFO and have a nice day

 

[pinoycavsfan]

Is there anywhere to watch replays for games?

NBA League Pass

 

[Don-no-vann!]

The Magic are a lot more physical than the C's, who actually are a bit soft on their front line. I was surprised the Cavs won game 7 because in game 6, the physicality of the Magic was too much for the Cavs. They only won game 7 because of Don's will and determination. If the Cavs aren't hobbling from the Magic series, I think their shooting will improve because it was the Magic physicality and size that gave them trouble. As I predicted before last game, the key to winning was to stop Franz Wagner, and sure enough he had a bad game and they won.

The key to beating the C's for me is for Donovan to stay healthy and Allen to come back fairly soon and be able to contribute.