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

[The Oi]

“Down 18 points, and they just never blinked,” [Derrick] White said. “They just keep competing. We learned that first-hand when we played them in the regular season. They never give up, they’re always competing, and it’s going to be a fun challenge.”

Mazzulla said the Celtics’ spacing and rim reads will be important against Cleveland’s shot blockers.

“They have length on the perimeter too with active hands,” Mazzulla said. “And they’ve got length in their rim protection, so space discipline and making the right read over and over again are two important things to combat their length.”

Master class in avoiding bulletin board material.

Bastard.

 

[Pierre Pan]

BOSTON — Cavs forward Dean Wade is getting closer to a return.

Wade, the hero of Cleveland’s lone win versus the Boston Celtics during the regular season, has been sidelined since early March. First, because of a personal matter and then due to a sprained right knee.

Already ruled out for Tuesday’s Game 1 at famed TD Garden, sources tell cleveland.com there’s hope that, barring any kind of setback, Wade can return at some point during the best-of-seven series, perhaps even this weekend when the Eastern Conference semifinals shift to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4.

Sources say Wade is doing everything possible to make it back. He conducted an individual on-court workout Monday before the team left for Boston and he followed that up with some light shooting and conditioning at Tuesday’s morning shootaround. During the open portion available to media, Wade was hoisted some shots with the team and then ran from sideline to sideline while being timed by a member of the team’s training staff — all positive steps in this lengthy recovery process.

But his playing status will be determined based on how his troublesome knee responds to the workouts and increased activity.

The 6-foot-10 Wade — who provides shooting, floor spacing, depth and versatility at the power forward spot, a thin position currently given the continued struggles of Georges Niang — last played on March 8. After returning from his weeklong personal leave, Wade practiced with the team in Houston on March 15, looking eager to rejoin the lineup.

That day at Rice University, Wade participated fully in practice, going through the team’s usual 5-on-5 session and then holding a post-practice 4-on-4 workout designed to get him and Tristan Thompson extra conditioning reps. The next morning, Wade felt soreness and popped up on the injury report, eventually getting ruled out for the matchup against the Rockets.

That lingering issue, initially characterized as “soreness,” was later termed a “knee sprain” following more tests and scans.

This weekend will be close to the two-month mark.

Considered one of the team’s best defenders, ranking in the 96th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus, Wade boasts some of the best impact metrics of anyone on the roster. With him on the court, the Cavs have a plus-8.3 net rating compared to just 0.2 without him. It’s the second-largest differential behind just Mitchell — a number that helps showcase Wade’s importance and his fit within Cleveland’s system.

At various points this season, Wade helped fill in admirably for starting forward Evan Mobley, who missed 32 games overall due to injuries to his knee and ankle. Wade’s on-court impact had him headed for a significant role in the team’s playoff rotation. But it’s fair to wonder how healthy and effective he will be when he eventually comes back — and whether Bickerstaff would be willing to put him back into the rotation after such a long layoff.

The conference semifinals begin Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

 

[Lee]

Not looking great

Mobley 4/7 from 3 just shooting, wide, wide open. I didnt count the one that didnt make it because it hit another ball, lol

I know good shooters go 6/7, but its evidence its coming, he will keep working on it. Maybe not this year, but we see the improvement in outside shot.

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Futuredome]

That dog doesn't like JB. He knows his record

 

[foucault87]

Only one comment. Buck Foston

 

[Peacedog]

Cavs +12.5 tonight is my lock of the year. LOCK.

 

[RuanuLaw]

Cavs +12.5 tonight is my lock of the year. LOCK.

I’m not too familiar with betting.
How does this work?
Is this saying that as long as the Cavs win, or lose by 12 points or less, then you win the bet?

 

[Peacedog]

I’m not too familiar with betting.
How does this work?
Is this saying that as long as the Cavs win, or lose by 12 points or less, then you win the bet?

Yes.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Cavs +12.5 tonight is my lock of the year. LOCK.

So you're saying I should go double or nothing with the $100 I won taking Orlando -3.5 for Game 6?

 

[Otsego Mar]

Cavs +12.5 tonight is my lock of the year. LOCK.

I mean...the Cavs lost almost twice by 40 against the Magic....on the road......I don't think 12.5+ is that much of a lock.

 

[Peacedog]

So you're saying I should go double or nothing with the $100 I won taking Orlando -3.5 for Game 6?

Yes, I do.

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[RchfldCavRaised]

Watch this to hold you over until game time!

 

[Otsego Mar]

Team plays a lot...different...without DG on the floor.