The Cleveland Cavaliers destroyed the Boston Celtics by 44 in Game 2, winning 130-86. Will the Cavaliers have the same performance on Sunday back in Cleveland?
What a win by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This was one of the most complete games this team has played all year–and on the biggest stage. They dominated in every facet, and didn’t look back.
Since Game 1, the Cavaliers have been on a mission to return to the NBA Finals. It also doesn’t help that the Boston Celtics haven’t shown up in either game.
It’s varsity vs JV out there — or as Isaiah Thomas referenced to USA Today, the Monstars from Space Jam.
The Celtics have been atrocious, and that’s being nice about it. Thomas has only scored 19 points in two games on 7-of-25 shooting. Even worse for Boston fans, according to NBA.com, Thomas is going to miss the remainder of the playoffs with a right hip injury.
I think it’s safe to say that the Cavs are going to sweep the series. I predicted it to go five, but that isn’t going to happen.
This is no disrespect to Boston, but without their leader, and best player on the court, I don’t see how they stand a chance. It might somehow be competitive, but that’s as far as it goes.
Take a look at the San Antonio Spurs without Kawhi Leonard. They’re now down 3-0 to the Golden State Warriors. They were up by 26 in Game 1 against them before his injury.
It’s over for the Celtics.
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The biggest thing that has stuck out within the Cavaliers’ dominance is their defense. They look like they’re playing the best defense of any team in the playoffs.
They’ve completely shut down the interior game of Boston. Kevin Love played Al Horford tough all series with his interior defense. Yes, you read that right. Any shot he’s put up has been challenged.
Love hasn’t only been phenomenal on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s been on another level since the series started. He has scored 53 points total in both games. Could there be a little extra motivation after the whole Kelly Olynyk debacle in 2015? I think so.
If the Cavs can continue to get this version of Love going into the NBA Finals, the Warriors will be in for a long series.
However, it goes without saying that LeBron James has been the best player throughout the entire playoffs. He’s having the postseason of his life, and he’s 32 years old.
He has been a man among boys out there. No matter what the Celtics have tried to throw at him, he makes them pay. His overall game has been elevated on both ends of the floor.
Could he be motivated by being in fourth place for the MVP this season? Possibly, but that’s a different article for another day.
Besides annihilating the Celtics, the Cavs set a number of records in the win on Friday. They set the franchise record for points scored in a playoff game with 130–giving Boston their worst playoff loss ever, and they are now 10-0 in the postseason.
If they win on Sunday, it would be their 14th straight postseason win. That’s impressive.
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There’s only two more games to go before the real series begins, and the Cavs try to repeat. We could be in for an epic one.