Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Cavaliers
By Chris Conner
3. The Celtics looked a step slow
We mentioned earlier about the balance displayed Saturday. You don’t get to the balance, however, without energy. There were many plays in Game 3 where Cleveland just simply wanted it more. For a Cavaliers team with some age on them, the three-day rest period couldn’t have came at a better time.
https://twitter.com/espnnba/status/998061718629740544?s=21
Cleveland’s fresh legs allowed them to have arguably its best defensive performance of the playoffs. It’s amazing what a home crowd and an engaged group of players can produce.
So the Cavs contested 76 percent of Celtics shots in Game 3, compared to just 58 percent of them in Games 1 and 2.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 20, 2018
I asked LeBron & Kevin Love why this team is so much more aggressive on some nights than others.
Answer: 🤷🏿♂️🤷🏻♂️
LeBron's energy on defense was on a different level. Cavs also got into their offense earlier (at times), even off Boston makes. Just a better game. Difference b/w stagnant CLE and good CLE -- beyond making shots -- isn't rocket science.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) May 20, 2018
Saturday’s result made the Celtics look like the older squad of the two. Boston was often late on closeouts, to rebounds, and out of their sets. For once, Boston didn’t bring the fight to its opposition. It was very odd to see one of the toughest, better-coached teams in basketball play that way.
"They were great," Brad Stevens says of the Cavs. "We were clearly not the harder-playing, more connected team tonight."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 20, 2018
The Celtics have thrived through adversity this season often playing through and after the whistle. They met their match Saturday in Cleveland. It’ll be interesting how they respond in a crucial Game 4.