Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 7 vs. Celtics
By Simon Smith
3. Jeff Green steps up big time
It was a case of sweet revenge for Green, the one-time Celtic, who came up huge in the biggest game of his career.
With Kevin Love sidelined due to the concussion he sustained at the beginning of Game 6, Green posted 19 points and eight rebounds while playing 42 minutes, his highest total this postseason.
Following the game, while everyone applauded Green for the fantastic game he produced, players and coaches alike also pointed out just how far Green has come since the open-heart surgery he underwent in 2012, which put his career under a cloud:
“His number was called & he just answered the call ... at the end of the day what this guy does on the floor is extra credit ... it’s like the cherry on top. The game was once taken away from him (open heart surgery).” - @KingJames on @unclejeffgreen
— Allie Clifton (@RealAClifton) May 28, 2018
As an athletic 6’9″ forward with a 7’2″ wingspan, Green’s versatility at both ends of the floor was particularly important considering the amount of flexible players at the Celtics’ disposal.
So after his impressive 14-point performance in Game 6, backing this up such a terrific game was an incredible accomplishment for Green, who just 12 months finished his season coming off the bench for the lowly Orlando Magic.
In 2012, Jeff Green wasn't sure he'd be able to play basketball anymore. Now, he's headed to his first #NBAFinals!
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2018
Check out his best buckets from Game 6 & Game 7 (33 PTS combined) of the Eastern Conference Finals.#WhateverItTakes #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4SV0wgeu8b
After such a pivotal performance, here’s the man himself with some thoughts on hard he’s worked to get this point:
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1000955268509859840
While Kevin Love will return to the starting lineup when The Finals arrive, Green is unquestionably going to be vital piece for the remainder of this postseason.