Cavs vs. Hawks 4-0, Classy, Yet Non-Competitive Sweep

[Walter White]

The will put the most pressure on us defensively. We need to get better defensively if we are going to win the whole thing.

100% agree. But I think perimeter defense specifically has been our biggest problem. I just wonder if a lot of that in the Pistons series has to do with keying in so much on Drummond in the paint and the way we closed in so much on their pick and roll. Lue basically hinted that we had to take away something and dared them to shoot.

We didn't exactly play good defense during the regular season, but I'd be interested to see how we do when we don't have to focus so much on an dominant center like Drummond and get the chance to play more straight up.

Our defensive scheme is going to have to be completely different against most other teams we face this playoffs. For a team like Atlanta for example, perimeter defense is really the main focus. They are a jump shooting team.

 

[Pioneer10]

I'm not sure we have the personnel to play great D for 48 minutes with what we have this year. Unless we sell out and play lebron/shump/delly/TT plus either Love or Irving.

If shump could be of enough of an offensive threat that teams have to respect him then maybe
If Moz played like last year then definitely: I'm more hopeful about Shumpert then this which is not a good sign

We really needed to add a 3D small forward/combo 4 this offseason that we could have brought in with Delly but Shumpert fooled us with his contract year performance. I don't know how Boston ended up with a whole team of guys we could have fit into that spot (Jerebko, Crowder, etc.)

 

[David.]

Monday. A potential Hawks/Celtics Game 7 plays on Saturday.

Thank fucking God

Of course finals start at the same time the playoffs due. I might pass now

 

[JS33]

Atlanta is more talented, but Boston seems to have more fight and composure in the big moments at the end of games.

I guess I'm fine with either, but I think Boston would be easier to handle especially sans Bradley.

 

[David.]

Atlanta matches up with us better..

Sefalosha is a good matchup up for lebron

Teague can get around kyrie, or pass off to many three point shooters


Regardless were making quick work of either

 

[Jordan]

Atlanta matches up with us better..

Sefalosha is a good matchup up for lebron

Teague can get around kyrie, or pass off to many three point shooters


Regardless were making quick work of either

Schroeder (sp?) generally gets past Delly fairly easily, too. Hawks are less potent offensively this year but their defensive gameplans have been great all season. They also play very well against small-ball because of Horford's and Millsap's mobility and range. With that said, I have zero concerns that they will play so physical as to cause injury to our guys. I think Atlanta will win one game this year, and have a shot at winning two. Either way, though, Cavs should win this series fairly easily.

Boston has serious matchup problems against us. Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie will both destroy each other, that's probably a neutral matchup at the end of the day... That's about the last neutral matchup. Love, LeBron, and Tristan would destroy their opponents on the Celtics. If Thomas goes off, Smart doesn't play like a total retard, and they defend to the best of their abilities, Celtics will win one game, maybe two if we play like ass.

I'd rather play Atlanta for a few reasons... First, and primarily, less physical, which increases the odds our guys will come out healthy. Secondly, they are effectively a poor man's Spurs, especially their offense, and I think going up against them again will help prepare us defend whomever we face in the finals. Finally, the NBA fan in me really wants to see a Love vs. Millsap playoff matchup.

 

[I'mWithDan]

While the bigger picture defense is a bit of a concern, Detroit also shot an above average percentage from 3. So the strategy was to create traffic inside 15 feet and force a team that doesn't shoot very well to hoist 3's.

The fact that they were making them at a 38% clip, twice made 10 or more 3's and still couldn't win tells me that the Cavs were doing other things defensively that were obviously helping.

One of the things that is largely being ignored is how dominant the Cavs were on the glass. Detroit was the #2 team in the NBA in rebounding through the regular season (46.3 per game) and #2 in rebounding differential (+3.8). The Cavs DESTROYED them on the glass.

In the 4 games played, Cleveland held them to 37.8 rebounds (-8.5 difference from the regular season for Detroit) and posted a rebounding differential of +3.2 (-7 difference from the regular season for Detroit).

Other metrics that have been off the charts:

#1 in AST/TO ratio at an absurd +2.59. Golden State is +1.87 and SA is +1.54.
#1 in 3 PT FG's made at 14.3 per game (41.3%). Golden state is #2 at 11.3.
#2 in TO's per game at 8.5 per game.

It wasn't a perfect start but Detroit was a feisty team that certainly has more life than Houston, Memphis, etc. Atlanta and Boston have both largely been absolutely awful on offense, so we'll see how the Cavs can shut either of them down come next round.

 

[czvo]

I can see both arguments. Like @Rich said, Atlanta, from a talent standpoint, poses far more problems. On the other hand, I can see why so many posters would rather face them than Boston because the Celtics have continued their dirty, underhanded ways this postseason.

I think, in the end, you pick the team that poses fewer basketball problems, and let the rest fall where they may. That's Boston.

 

[Douglar]

View: https://vine.co/v/eqxWKvMPLbW

 

[HurricaneKid]

I really don't want to play Boston. I consider Bradley their best player and am comfortable we would win the series. But there is no question that there would be a punitive cost to that series. I'm rather appalled at the liberties they take with the opposition's health at every turn. Every guy on that team is guilty of what Delly gets accused of.

I was flummoxed in G3 when Bos took out a driver in the air with an intentional foul that was correctly ruled a flagrant, only to watch the officials give two of the worst flagrant fouls I've ever seen to ATL in the next few moments.

I also heard fmr NBA exec in charge of suspensions on NBA TV say there was no reasonable explanation for Thomas to go to the head of Schroeder when the ball hadn't even been inbounded and he should be suspended for G4. Of course, he wasn't and wasn't even called for a foul for what is clearly a dirty and suspendable action.

 

[tonyn]

I want the easiest least risky path to a title.
Win the title and next year I don't give a fuck.
I just want guys in the finals healthy

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

Ive been saying this through out the season i know this team can match any team any given night so bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Goldin Brown]

The Cavs history versus the Celtics, in the playoffs, has not been good. The Cavs swept them last year, but lost Love for the remainder of the playoffs, and I'm blaming them for knocking JR out of rhythm too .

Honestly rather play the Hawks. I feel like they're the better team and I'd don't have any bad feelings toward them.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

I honestly don't really care who we play. Should be able to win in 5 if we stay healthy against both teams. If the series does go 7 i would prefer Atlanta as they are older, and I think playing 7 hard games against Boston would take their toll on the them. If it goes 6, I would prefer Boston as we would not have as long of a lay off.

 

[Rich]

Eh, the Hawks are for sure going to have bad feelings towards the Cavs. Particularly one Matthew Dellevadova. If we're worried about getting cheap shotted, I'm not sure the Hawks are the better bet...