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

[bushwick_bill]

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[eChameleon]

I was just looking into it, and obviously these kinds of records mean nothing, but this is our 9th playoff series against the Celtics, and both teams have 4 wins.

 

[AustinCarr]

Which seminal Cavs/Celtics playoff moments is more painful for their respective playerbase?

• Cavs sending Larry Bird off to retirement
• Celtics sending LeBron off to Miami

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Kuiper]

The biggest mental block we might need to overcome is winning on the road in the playoffs. We haven't done it yet in these playoffs and we can't rely on a Game 7 at home this time.

 

[Jscc]

The biggest mental block we might need to overcome is winning on the road in the playoffs. We haven't done it yet in these playoffs and we can't rely on a Game 7 at home this time.

Hold home-court and they'll just need one road win.

 

[Otsego Mar]

The biggest mental block we might need to overcome is winning on the road in the playoffs. We haven't done it yet in these playoffs and we can't rely on a Game 7 at home this time.

LeBron was a menace on the road in the playoffs.

We need Spida menace.

 

[Tlyons]

Game 6 DG needs to merge with game 7 DG and return to his all-star level play.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

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.

Eight teams left out of 30. They're all good. Bad teams don't play in May.

 

[Adam]

All I know is judging from last night there is going to be some wild officiating in Boston. So terrible that the refs basically dominate each series, I've never been a blame the refs guy but it's crazy right now how inconsistent and prone to bias they are

 

[stick]

Darius averages 17.5ppg, 6.5apg on 45 percent shooting, 40 percent from three against Jrue in his career with 2 turnovers a game. In 2021-2022 when DG was the sole guard threat and the primary Holiday assignment? His ppg was down to 13.1 but he shot 55 percent from three, had over 8 assists a game, with 5 turnovers in 3 games. Was a +45 against Jrue.

In 15 games played, Donovan averages 26.7 ppg vs Jrue on 44.8 from the field and 36.8 from three (on nine attempts). He's +91.

Don't forget Celtics Killer Caris.

The guards will have their hands full for Boston. Hopefully for them, old man Horford can atone for past transgressions against TT. Boston's front court hasn't impressed me going into the playoffs and they're about to be put to the ultimate test sans Porzingis. No Allen will be tough, but I expect he'll return at some point. At that point? The inside is WIDE open.

White+Jrue will do everything they can to limit dribble penetration, Brown will hopefully be tired out by chasing Strus around, Tatum is gonna be used as their weakside defender... Hope he gets plenty of Donovan lowered shoulders to his chest. Evan can make things really interesting when he locks down Tatum who's gonna love settling for midrange shots and jacking up threes. Can Boston generate enough dribble penetration themselves to maximize the loss of JA? We will see.

If and when Wade returns... Things get extra drippy. He can absolutely be a key player.

Can't wait for this series!

---

I was in Tokyo for games 3->7 vs Orlando. What did I miss?

---

 

[American Hero]

Eight teams left out of 30. They're all good. Bad teams don't play in May.

We'll see how they look against Boston but 11.5 pt underdog doesn't scream "very good team."

 

[Peacedog]

Darius averages 17.5ppg, 6.5apg on 45 percent shooting, 40 percent from three against Jrue in his career with 2 turnovers a game. In 2021-2022 when DG was the sole guard threat and the primary Holiday assignment? His ppg was down to 13.1 but he shot 55 percent from three, had over 8 assists a game, with 5 turnovers in 3 games. Was a +45 against Jrue.

In 15 games played, Donovan averages 26.7 ppg vs Jrue on 44.8 from the field and 36.8 from three (on nine attempts). He's +91.

Don't forget Celtics Killer Caris.

The guards will have their hands full for Boston. Hopefully for them, old man Horford can atone for past transgressions against TT. Boston's front court hasn't impressed me going into the playoffs and they're about to be put to the ultimate test sans Porzingis. No Allen will be tough, but I expect he'll return at some point. At that point? The inside is WIDE open.

White+Jrue will do everything they can to limit dribble penetration, Brown will hopefully be tired out by chasing Strus around, Tatum is gonna be used as their weakside defender... Hope he gets plenty of Donovan lowered shoulders to his chest. Evan can make things really interesting when he locks down Tatum who's gonna love settling for midrange shots and jacking up threes. Can Boston generate enough dribble penetration themselves to maximize the loss of JA? We will see.

If and when Wade returns... Things get extra drippy. He can absolutely be a key player.

Can't wait for this series!

---

I was in Tokyo for games 3->7 vs Orlando. What did I miss?

---
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I give Wade a 10% chance of playing any games in this series. And I give a 1% chance that he effectively performs in this series. I'm much more optimistic about Jarrett. Because he's not a candy ass.