Finished. That is the prevailing feeling after the Cleveland Cavaliers once again flexed and applauded themselves in the TD Garden.
J.R. Smith calling a sweep in the middle of game 2 ? pic.twitter.com/n6sjcPj66A
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 20, 2017
The Boston Celtics found themselves in a similar situation as they did on Monday night – struggling to find ways to thwart the LeBron James attack. Cleveland swept their road games in suffocating behavior with game 2 ending in 130-86 victory. Kevin love produced 21 points 12 rebounds with Kyrie Irving pitching in 23 points.
Achieving such a tall task is a gameplan by itself. Slowing down the greatest forces the NBA has to offer is something that Boston can’t master with their current roster. The bigs are too slow of foot, and the guards are too small. To make matters worse, neither position is strong enough. With all of the free reign that James has at his disposal he has been able to parade around the court and create an offensive environment that is rooted in efficient open shots. The Cavalier starting lineup shot 34-53, good for 64%. Two more than Boston made for the entire game.
The chief thought before the game was that the Celtics squad was not afraid of LeBron James. Both Thomas and rookie Jaylen Brown both shared the sentiment. The team as a collective clearly made that a point of emphasis – humanize James making him less of demi-god. James and Cleveland are the prohibitive favorites, yet the Celtics don’t want to get caught playing in awe of him. Treating him like any average Joe Young takes away the allure of his game and helps keep the team poised.
It’s a sound strategy, however LeBron has demonstrated throughout this postseason that he is of a different race than the human one.
And here’s LeBron James with a classic fastbreak chasedown block
(via @clippittv)https://t.co/725QJh5RkL
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 20, 2017
Tonight with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and four assists he became the first player since Michael Jordan to have eight straight games with 30-plus in the postseason.
On the defensive end, the Cavs have found the secret formula it seems. The defense that had so many puzzled at its ineptitude, and rightfully so, came together to completely reduce the Celtic’s offense to contested shots and low-efficiency shots. Boston has had to work for every shot in this series and tonight’s game was no different. The Cavaliers shot 59% in the first half while holding Isaiah Thomas and company to 29%. Thomas specifically missed all six of his shots in the first the half. After the half the Cavaliers set an NBA postseason record with 72-31 lead.
Thomas wouldn’t get the chance to reconcile his no-show performance as he suffered a hip injury late in the second quarter that left him out of the rest of the game.
The Cavaliers seem to have bullied the number one seed into a catatonic state where the Celtics have no course of action. The 44 point loss was the largest by any number seed in League history.
The injury to Isaiah Thomas has further left this team bereft of options against Cleveland. Head coach Brad Stevens after the game said the injury has been a lingering issue.
#Celtics HC Brad Stevens says Isaiah Thomas has been dealing with a ‘nagging hip injury” since game 6 vs the Wizardshttps://t.co/UwIKyFTveQ
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 20, 2017
Whether the injury is serious enough to keep him out any games is uncertain. Without Thomas though, the next two games Cleveland will only be formalities. If the injury is less severe than his second half absence would suggest, Thomas will have to have a spectacular game 3. At home in the playoffs this year the Cavs have a 119 offensive rating – that is better than any of the other three remaining teams.
The team won the draft lottery and made it to the conference finals. Losing in such embarrassing fashion leaves a successful season for this team bittersweet.
It also reveals just how much of a Goliath James is. He may be just another guy – but no mere mortal can stop him right now.
