Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from Game 4 vs. Cavaliers

2. Boston continues to struggle on defense

After allowing Cleveland to go 48.7 percent from the field in Game 3, the Celtics outdid themselves by letting the Cavs shoot a series-high 50.6 percent in Game 4. Cleveland also also won the rebounding battle, 47-37. Despite both teams reeling in nine offensive rebounds, the Cavaliers scored more second chance points, 16-7. They also scored more points in the paint, 50-38.

Boston couldn’t keep Cleveland from exploiting physical mismatches either, as they chose to pick on Terry Rozier in their half-court sets. For much of the game, Cleveland sought out screens that would force Rozier to switch onto them. As pesky a defender as Rozier is, his 6’2″ frame was at a huge disadvantage when Tristan Thompson or LeBron James chose to back him down on the block.

The Celtics attempted to remedy this problem by turning Rozier into a hedge man instead of having him switch. However, that led to several instances where Rozier would leave the ball-handler before his helper was ready to defend. This led to several wide open shots.

Surely, Boston wanted to use physicality as a way to even the score. However, that plan was thwarted by foul trouble. No one in Boston’s eight-man rotation fouled out, but Marcus Morris, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart all finished the evening with five fouls apiece. Tatum and Rozier both had three fouls.

Heading into Wednesday, the Celtics will have to figure out a way to remain physical without fouling, compete consistently on the boards and prevent the Cavaliers from exploiting their defensive mismatches.