Cavs vs. Celtics - 2018 Eastern Conference Finals

[Ohio]

Well, I think we're the better team. But we've still got a long way to go.

- They're unbeaten at home so far this postseason and role players should play better for them there.
- They may get Larkin back, which gives them a change of pace player and another body
- Lack of rest. We were great in the first half of Game 4 then faded hard in the second half.

I was worried about lack of rest after Game 3 (we had 3 days of rest before then) and it showed up tonight. More turnovers, stagnant offense in the second half, etc.

We had just 2 assists in the second half of Game 4.

Our ORTG for the first half tonight was about 133. It ended up at about 112.

So, we've got to find a way to keep our energy as high as possible. And there will only be one day of rest between every game from here on out.

I think the refs had a LOT to do with what happened in the last 29 minutes of the game.

They took it over and literally destroyed the flow of the game.

If we can just cut down on the turnovers, we'll be in good shape, IMO.

 

[Gus Zing]

Game 5 needs to be the Kevin Love game.

That 30/14 kind of domination that he is capable of doing vs. the Celtics. Just gotta hope he stays out of foul trouble and gets a rhythm.

 

[Gus Zing]

I just did the math. These figures are approximate but give you a picture of how much fatigue hurt us in the second half.

1st half Game 4 ORTG ----------> 133.3
2nd half Game 4 ORTG ----------> 088.7
Game 4 ORTG -------------------> 111.0

That second half won't cut it in Boston. Lue needs to find a way to get a bit more usage out of the bench. Or use more timeouts, something.

If we get to the Finals, then I think most games will have 2 days of rest before them. That will help us a lot. But we've got to get there first.

The fact we're getting nothing out of Clarkson and Hood is killing us.

 

[LeShaq]

I think the refs had a LOT to do with what happened in the last 29 minutes of the game.

They took it over and literally destroyed the flow of the game.

If we can just cut down on the turnovers, we'll be in good shape, IMO.

Our ORTG was trash in the second half tonight. About 88.7 (versus 133 in the first half).

As long as we can manage the second halves of these games, we should be able to take the series (unless Larkin comes back and changes the equation for them). We've made adjustments and we have a good sense of what we want to do. We just need enough energy to do it.

If I were Lue, I might think about playing Cedi or someone a few minutes here or there. I know that will be tough, but the fatigue is real and it could hurt us as the series continues.

 

[LeShaq]

The fact we're getting nothing out of Clarkson and Hood is killing us.

Yep.

And Love was garbage in this game. Hopefully that can change moving forward. That would help a lot.

 

[The Red Viper]

View: https://twitter.com/StoolGreenie/status/995782384099311616

 

[The Red Viper]

I actually like and rate Brad Stevens a lot. He is an outstanding coach.

Top-3 coach in the league imo after Pop and Carlisle. There with Quinn Snyder, give an edge to Stevens but this worshiping of Stevens was getting really ridiculous considering he has yet to go to the NBA Finals. Nevermind win a Championship. So, along with wanting us to go to the NBA Finals again and that too by defeating that cuntish ass franchise Boston Celtics, it will please me even more that we did it by defeating Brad Stevens.

Really fucking hope we win in Boston in Game-5 and wrap this series soon. The entire Brad Stevens being the best coach in the NBA over Gregg Fucking Popovich was getting on my nerves!

 

[chuck0609]

The fact we're getting nothing out of Clarkson and Hood is killing us.

If Love scored 20 they win by 20.

Love is killing them offensively. Yes he’s doing othe things, but he’s a MAX player. He’s got to chip in 20+ points.
4-12 tonight. 1-3 from three. Just not enough.

 

[ACisKING]

I think the refs had a LOT to do with what happened in the last 29 minutes of the game.

They took it over and literally destroyed the flow of the game.

If we can just cut down on the turnovers, we'll be in good shape, IMO.

I totally agree. That third quarter in particular was an unwatchable marathon of free throws.

 

[Gus Zing]

If Love scored 20 they win by 20.

Love is killing them offensively. Yes he’s doing othe things, but he’s a MAX player. He’s got to chip in 20+ points.
4-12 tonight. 1-3 from three. Just not enough.

Yea at home...

We saw him score 20+ in game 2 and that wasn't enough.

He's gotta be due a game where he makes those bunnies and shoots well from 3.

 

[chuck0609]

Yea at home...

We saw him score 20+ in game 2 and that wasn't enough.

He's gotta be due a game where he makes those bunnies and shoots well from 3.

It was an ugly 20 in game two IMO.
He is due, if he can give an offensive explosion they’ll get game 5.
I wonder is that thumb is an issue or something else.

 

[PedroFlu]

As someone mentioned, Love doesn't have enough motor to give 100% on defense and shoot well. The energy expenditure affects his offense greatly.

It's pick your poison with him

 

[Jscc]

So excited that the ECF finally starts on Wednesday.

 

[MrHoops]

I really starting to hate Jaylen Brown. He's becoming a really jerk in this series. First he made comments before the game saying Lebron has to earn the title of King against the Celtics. The his team is losing and he flexing muscles like he's some tough guy. Now he wants to blame the refs for the Celtics losing when both the Celtics and Cavs went to the line the same amount of times.

Then this fool dunks the ball when the game is over just so he can increase his points.

 

[TitleTown]

I really starting to hate Jaylen Brown. He's becoming a really jerk in this series. First he made comments before the game saying Lebron has to earn the title of King against the Celtics. The his team is losing and he flexing muscles like he's some tough guy. Now he wants to blame the refs for the Celtics losing when both the Celtics and Cavs went to the line the same amount of times.

Then this fool dunks the ball when the game is over just so he can increase his points.

I like Jaylen Brown and I have no problem with that dunk to end the game.

If the clock is running, then defend. This isn't little league. These "disrespect" rules are childish and dumb.