Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 2 vs. Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers are down 0-2 in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals after losing to the ever resilient Boston Celtics Tuesday. We look at three takeaways from Game 2.

The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t mention it, but Game 2 felt like a must-win. Playing against a cohesive Boston unit, an 0-2 hole was the last thing the Cavs needed.

Yet it’s where we currently stand as the Celtics defeated Cleveland Tuesday night, 107-94.

After a ferocious start by LeBron James and company, the Cavaliers looked destined to steal an early game in Boston.

As the Celtics have done all season, however, they responded in big-time fashion.

LeBron James and Kevin Love combined for 64 points and 25 rebounds in Tuesday’s defeat after embarrassing Game 1 performances, with the King finishing with a 42-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double.

Unfortunately, the rest of the Cavaliers finished with just 30 points as only Kyle Korver joined James and Love in double-digit scoring.

For Boston, the script stayed the same: Share the ball and commit defensively. The Celtics accomplished both, forcing 15 Cavaliers turnovers and ending with six players in double figures. Boston simply appeared to want Game 2 more than Cleveland at times, and there were plenty of examples of that throughout the night.

Going into Game 3, the Celtics have now started 2-0 in all three of their playoff series. The Cavaliers however, are in uncharted territory and will look to right the ship in front of some home cooking. But before we look forward, let’s take a look at three takeaways from a jam-packed Game 2.