Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Cavaliers
1. Celtics outhustled the Cavaliers
Within Boston’s second half dominance are a lot of numbers, as well as plays, that say plenty about the state of both teams.
During those final 24 minutes, the Celtics shot 20 open looks compared to just three for the Cavaliers. While 92 percent of Cleveland’s looks during those final two quarters were contested, only 58 percent were for the C’s. LeBron James got just one uncontested look in the entire game.
Brad Stevens has his team playing at the highest of levels, running sets that get open looks on a consistent basis, while the Cavs are a one-man show with LeBron having to create everything for them, and failing to produce if he can’t.
Part of Cleveland’s struggles is also due to Boston’s defense, as its energy and versatility allow them to make every rotation necessary to contest a shot, while the Cavaliers always seem to blow a rotation or give their man a lane to the basket far too often.
Another telling stat was the number of passes by both teams, as that amount usually has a positive impact on the quality of shots a team has.
This speaks volumes to the difference in offensive strategies, as the Celtics prefer to have everyone involved in every play, while the Cavaliers rarely get any off-ball movement.
Besides the ball movement from both teams, what helped propel Boston to the victory (and what usually does more often than not) was its energy, and how it was demonstrated on the court.
There isn’t a stat for these types of plays, but watch the Celtics play and it’s easy to see.
Marcus Smart diving for loose balls, skying in for the tip-in late in the fourth quarter or stealing the ball after coming up hobbling. Or maybe Al Horford grabbing the offensive rebound despite being surrounded by five Cavaliers, or Terry Rozier grabbing the loose ball and sprinting downcourt for the tomahawk jam in the middle of Boston’s run.
It’s these types of plays that Boston always seems to make, while Cleveland always seems too lax to give that type of effort.
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That hustle is a big reason the Celtics are up 2-0 in this series, while the Cavs head home searching for answers.