Cavs vs. Celtics - 2018 Eastern Conference Finals

[Tornicade]

Matchup stats

Taytum 78% of possessions was guarded by JR Smith(48%) and Jeff Green(30%)

Jaylen Brown was defended 60% of possessions by Lebron James , 20% by Smith

Terry Rozier was primarily guarded by Hill and Clarkson

Marcus Morris was primarily guarded by Lebron (40%) and then Love( 29%) then pretty much by committee

Horford was Guarded by Thompson (56.4%) and Nance (23.6%)

Baynes was primarily guarded by Kevin Love (65.3%)

You can get matchup stats at https://stats.nba.com/game/0041700303/matchups/?OFF_PLAYER_ID=&DEF_PLAYER_ID=

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

This all or nothing approach with fans and LeBron has to stop.

Was he content when he dropped 21 in the 1st Qrt? Was he content when he cut the lead to 6?

Game 1 everyone was crap. Game 2 he ran out of gas.

Game 3....he had THREE days of rest and guys made shots.

Today's approach was the same as game 1 except everyone hit shots

I'm tired of you coming to the rescue of Lebron after every little thing that is said about him.
I said I didn't get the same feeling and that he looked to me awfully content. That's my view and my personal interpetation. You shouldn't have a problem with that.

Stop making Lebron tthis no wrong figure that is immune to any sort of criticism, and that certainly wasn't criticism, just an observation. Stop it.

 

[Gus Zing]

I'm tired of you coming to the rescue of Lebron after every little thing that is said about him.
I said I didn't get the same feeling and that he looked to me awfully content. That's my view and my personal interpetation. You shouldn't have a problem with that.

Stop making Lebron tthis no wrong figure that is immune to any sort of criticism, and that certainly wasn't criticism, just an observation. Stop it.

Hilarious because people criticized me in the past for criticizing LeBron.

Its not coming to his defense. He was AWFUL in game 1. His sloppy turnovers at the end of the 1st half in game 2 kept the Celtics in reach.

Its not so much a problem with you its this idea that every time we lose its LeBron wasn't interested or cared, etc.

Sometimes players just suck.

 

[Phil Mixtape]

So we all knew that the Cavs are more than capable of just blowing these guys out of the water on any given night but someone explain this to me. The main core of this team has won a ring together, been to the finals multiple years in a row, basically live in the playoffs and we go into Boston's gym and look like it's our first time doing this shit. Just minimal effort, poor d, awful shooting etc. then we come home and just flip the switch? What gives?

 

[David.]

Omg edit function sucks forget it

 

[Heej]

So we all knew that the Cavs are more than capable of just blowing these guys out of the water on any given night but someone explain this to me. The main core of this team has won a ring together, been to the finals multiple years in a row, basically live in the playoffs and we go into Boston's gym and look like it's our first time doing this shit. Just minimal effort, poor d, awful shooting etc. then we come home and just flip the switch? What gives?

I think Chris Bosh said it best in the podcast he did with Bill Simmons. After a few Finals runs it just takes more and more to summon that effort and intensity out of you. He was talking about how at times it even took extra effort just to get up for PLAYOFF games. I think these guys just have so much accumulated white noise mentally from the repeated deep runs that it takes seriously dire situations to get them to snap out of it.

That's the makeup of this Cavs team. It's taken LeBron's ultimate quality to its logical conclusion. He's the GOAT because his Games 4-7 in a series are just straight up better than the Games 4-7 other all timers put out. But Games 1-3 LeBron is just feeling teams out and getting them to show all their cards when it comes to schemes and coverages so his Games 1-3 I'd put below Jordan.

The trade-off is that unlike MJ he doesn't come out gunning early in the series to overwhelm you spiritually and emotionally. MJ and the Bulls put forth more consistent and higher average play in a series. But LeBron wants to beat you mentally. So his Heat teams, but most especially these Cavs teams will generally just patiently observe and take the other teams best shots early in the series and slowly ramp up the intensity and pace and turn on the afterburners to close the series so their level of play actually peaks way higher in the second half vs the first half of a series. It's literally in their DNA now.

LeBron's 3-4 game peaks are higher than MJs 3-4 game peaks in a series even if his 7 game peak may be lower on average.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I think Chris Bosh said it best in the podcast he did with Bill Simmons. After a few Finals runs it just takes more and more to summon that effort and intensity out of you. He was talking about how at times it even took extra effort just to get up for PLAYOFF games. I think these guys just have so much accumulated white noise mentally from the repeated deep runs that it takes seriously dire situations to get them to snap out of it.

That's the makeup of this Cavs team. It's taken LeBron's ultimate quality to its logical conclusion. He's the GOAT because his Games 4-7 in a series are just straight up better than the Games 4-7 other all timers put out. But Games 1-3 LeBron is just feeling teams out and getting them to show all their cards when it comes to schemes and coverages so his Games 1-3 I'd put below Jordan.

The trade-off is that unlike MJ he doesn't come out gunning early in the series to overwhelm you spiritually and emotionally. MJ and the Bulls put forth more consistent and higher average play in a series. But LeBron wants to beat you mentally. So his Heat teams, but most especially these Cavs teams will generally just patiently observe and take the other teams best shots early in the series and slowly ramp up the intensity and pace and turn on the afterburners to close the series so their level of play actually peaks way higher in the second half vs the first half of a series. It's literally in their DNA now

The problem with spotting the other team a game or two comes when you play a team that is good enough not to give you the comeback.

 

[Heej]

The problem with spotting the other team a game or two comes when you play a team that is good enough not to give you the comeback.

Yup that's the downfall. If LeBron's teammates aren't good enough to buy them time and get to a Game 6 he's liable to get blown out in 5. We never got to see the downfall of MJ not having that extra gear LeBron does to close a series because the teams he faced weren't good enough to go toe to toe with the Bulls for the entirety of a 7 game series.

If he played the Warriors I don't doubt it's a back and forth series where the Warriors close it out in 6 or 7 depending on which game is the home game. While vs LeBron the fact that KD managed to snipe that Game 4 win saved the series which they closed out in 5. If it went to GS tied and Cavs lose game 5 they'd win Game 6 at Cleveland and I don't doubt LeBron for a second when it comes to stealing a Game 7 on the road. Never forget that one uncalled foul on LeBron's dunk by KD. GS never would've come back in Game 5 if the refs actually did the right thing and called that. That's how I know man. LeBron really did everything necessary. But the refs screwed him big time. That call changed the series in retrospect.

 

[Bballguy4]

Never forget that one uncalled foul on LeBron's dunk by KD. GS never would've come back in Game 5 if the refs actually did the right thing and called that. That's how I know man. LeBron really did everything necessary. But the refs screwed him big time. That call changed the series in retrospect.

yup...cavs were about to blow it open and had the warriors on the ropes but that call didn't go their way and changed the momentum of the game....and the rest is history

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6T1mF5yk2s

 

[LeBronistheKing2311]

https://us.blastingnews.com/sports/...n4FhBJIpgFVLQEOXSGMX8x8h_8AHiBck-2bEqJL16EO0_

What have these Celtics really done to be this confident and so entitled?

 

[czvo]

There were 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, and the Cavs were only up 8.

 

[Heej]

There were 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, and the Cavs were only up 8.

You make it sound so nonchalant when you put it like that but everyone knows when you're on the road against an equally matched or better team that if the road team comes out hot in the opening quarter and gives up a lead they're not winning, which happened Game 2 of this series. That second quarter led to a game changing run by Golden State (during which Ty Lue somehow never called a timeout until it was too late) where despite our attempts to get back in it once the damage was done it was over.

And that was the 3rd foul on KD who LeBron and Love were attacking going into the game. He'd have been forced to dial back his aggression on defense all game. It's really easy to say "oh they're only up 8 points 14 minutes into the game" but in an NBA FINALS game where EVERY POSSESSION matters this call meant A LOT

 

[czvo]

You make it sound so nonchalant when you put it like that but everyone knows when you're on the road against an equally matched or better team that if the road team comes out hot in the opening quarter and gives up a lead they're not winning, which happened Game 2 of this series. That second quarter led to a game changing run by Golden State (during which Ty Lue somehow never called a timeout until it was too late) where despite our attempts to get back in it once the damage was done it was over.

And that was the 3rd foul on KD who LeBron and Love were attacking going into the game. He'd have been forced to dial back his aggression on defense all game. It's really easy to say "oh they're only up 8 points 14 minutes into the game" but in an NBA FINALS game where EVERY POSSESSION matters this call meant A LOT

Sure. Every possession matters. But treating that call like it would have decided the game is a little disingenuous.

Now, the Korver missed three in game 3? There's a game turning play.

 

[Heej]

I took the time today to review game film and here are some trends/notes i wanna share:

• Celtics got themselves out of it to start by missing multiple bunnies
• Bron disruptive defensively
• TT makes Horford catch the ball far outside of his comfort spots
• TT sticks to Horford on PNR and PNP like white on rice. Rozier gets to waltz down the lane but he doesn't go for it enough. They absolutely will not allow Horford to gain confidence posting up smalls on switches. Want him to remain a mental midget
• Cavs have a formula for getting good looks when TT is in the game vs the Baynes at center lineups. Baynes always sells out completely and loads up on LeBron completely ignoring TT. TT has been making an effort of setting flare/hammer screens for weakside shooters. He's always been a canny screener like this but Baynes is inviting death by 3 if this will be the Stevens strategy
• Cavs have made it a mandate to run on makes. Mid 1st Quarter LeBron gesticulating strongly at Love to stop sulking off a Baynes putback dunk and inbound quickly
• Hill has absorbed almost half the Playmaking possessions LeBron was soaking up. His newfound aggression is making him the perfect PG for the team
• TT boxing out the help so LeBron can get to the basket on true single coverage is another example of his extremely high IQ and character being the ultimate dirty work guy
• KLove pisses LeBron off sometimes because he tends to not call out screens
• big uptick in movement off the ball when Love is posting. He's been begging for this in seemingly every post-game interview
• Love can attack closeouts by Greg Monroe and Aaron Baynes at will, the only reason he hasn't been is because Horford has been on him many possessions
• Korvers so good at randomly just running into people off the ball on offense that he just occupies the entire weakside by playing bumper cars. Just an incredible fit next to LeBron. High IQ all time great role player
• Cavs have decided to neuter all Marcus Smart PNR action by putting a big wing on him (Bron or Green) and switching to kill that action. And Jeff Green promptly botches this coverage the second time it's ran. Nance tells him early to get out to Horford. Nance frequently communicates well by pointing and talking on switches. No wonder him and Bron are dynamic together
• Even when Nance botches that play Lebron comes out to stunt at Horford and eventually forces a turnover and gets to the line in transition. Cavs are now playing for eachother on defense and covering for eachothers mistakes instead of glaring and getting pissed when mistakes get made
• Small small pnrs such as the 1-3 between Tatum and Rozier are not switched, the Cavs show and recover which puts the Celtics on tilt this game because they're used to mismatch basketball. Shades of Cavs in the Pacers series
• JR needs to learn from Korver. Pump fake, side dribble as defender flies by, 3. Another way to attack a closeout as a shooter
• JR very active helping the helper and stunting at shooters. The team really is playing for eachother now and trusting eachother on defense and making multiple efforts to clean up mistakes or help muck up their offense
• They've committed to dropping on the George Hill 1-5 PnR and chasing over the top. Every time they run it you hear Stevens on the sideline screaming "Chase him!" I think next game we'll see TT or Nance rolling into a weakside flare screen for a shooter if they keep doing that or maybe the Spain PnR where a shooter backscreens the dropping big. If we've committed to running more offense through George Hill I think they're going to give him more responsibility finding open shooters by taking the penetration the Celtics are willing to concede
• Hill also competes insanely hard if the Cavs do surrender a switch of Horford onto him. I'm amazed it's not TT sonning him it's literally the entire Cavs team that's committed to making him their bitch. Holy crap
• I like how Cedi finished that PNR layup where he blew by that French Fatboi. 2 long strides and cradled the ball past Baynes. Solid lob pass off a DHO with Nance earlier. Makings of some bench chemistry methinks
• Also that transition pass to a wide open Calderon 3 pointer. He was trying to look off Ojeleye before that by turning his head to Zizic in the trailer spot before delivering it on the numbers to The 2 Billion Dollar Man. His plays looked decent at the first watch but now that I'm rewatching it, there's another level of sophistication to his plays that didn't pop through the screen until I was able to rewind and Rewatch them

Critical point from what I saw on the film:
I wish I had the numbers on this but I'm willing to bet the Cavs had more than doubled the Celtics in the number of drag screens set in early transition. They kept getting good shots if they pushed it up the floor if they set drag screens in the first 4-5 seconds of the shot clock and then they'd make the Cs take the ball out of the basket and have long possessions against a set defense. Next time I rewatch a game I'm going to keep score on the number of early drag screens set and the number of extra efforts on defense cleaning up mistakes. I believe those two to be the key statistics of this series

 

[Gus Zing]

Sure. Every possession matters. But treating that call like it would have decided the game is a little disingenuous.

Now, the Korver missed three in game 3? There's a game turning play.

The No Call when Love gets hacked when we're up 6 under 2:30 left in the game was a game changer.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOXkpZx_WNE