Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cavaliers
3. Celtics win the turnover battle
After turning the ball over just nine times in their Game 1 victory, the Celtics kept up that level of play in Game 2, coughing the ball up only five times compared to Cleveland’s 15.
Limiting turnovers is a key point of emphasis for every team in every game, as doing so gives them more possessions on the offensive end, maximizing their chances of scoring.
In the case of live-ball turnovers, taking care of the ball also limits the opposition’s ability to get out on the fast break. Against a team like the Cavaliers, who prefer to operate in the half-court, that may not be such a big concern, but against others, it could prove costly.
LeBron James had 6 turnovers tonight. The Celtics had 5 as a team. #Cavs
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) May 16, 2018
The Celtics have morphed into a dangerous offensive team, with the ball moving from side to side and everyone getting an opportunity to score the ball at a moment’s notice.
To take care of the ball is to gain extra possessions, which opens the opportunity for more points on the board. They may not always lead to buckets, but it’s still a better option than giving the opponent a chance to gain momentum.