A bleak blowout: Rajon Rondo leads Boston to emphatic Game 2 win over Cleveland Cavaliers, 104-86
By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even though it was fresh out of the packing crate, LeBron James' "team" Most Valuable Player trophy already had some tarnish on the night it was presented.
The Cavaliers and their MVP had to figure they were going to get the Boston Celtics' best shot in Monday's Game 2. They certainly didn't play as if they believed it, though, laying an egg in the face of a fierce Celtics' performance that not only evened the series but gave the Cavs plenty to consider in the three days before Game 3 in Boston.
Despite a late attempt at a rally, which the Cavs always seem to do, it was clear which team was more focused.
Momentum now firmly resides in the Celtics' possession and not just because they are going home. They boarded their jet knowing they'd won three of the four halves played so far in the series and did so on the road. Assume that confidence has value to a team with former champions and will probably take some extra will from the top-seeded Cavs to get it back.
It is hard to even know where to begin with the game because the Celtics' showing was impressive in nearly every category while the Cavs lacked fire, execution and poise across the board.
Might as well start with the MVP, James, who accepted his trophy before the game to much fanfare. Unfortunately for the Cavs, that was the most heavy-lifting he did until it was all over.
Lethargic for much of the game, James turned in his weakest performance of the playoffs even if his numbers read 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Celtics rotated defenders and played standard defense, crowding the lane behind James and bringing double teams. Only James didn't seem inclined to attack as he's done every meeting with Boston this season.
He only showed spunk when the Cavs fell down by 25 points and scored 12 in the fourth quarter, which was shockingly garbage time. The Cavs have been able to win games with late runs -- but even against a team known for collapses as Boston is, 25 points was an impossible hurdle.
So it is only fair at this point to bring up the might's MVP: Rajon Rondo. Obviously a player the Cavs are going to have nightmares about, the slippery and skilled All-Star shredded their defense for much of the game.
Unfazed by facing the bigger defenders who slowed him down a bit in Game 1, Rondo was able to distribute to hot-shooting teammates for much of the evening. He racked up 19 assists, matching his playoff career high and the Celtics' career playoff record, while adding 13 points.
He was so effective because he was repeatedly able to freeze defenders while his teammates kept moving and, eventually, making.
Six Celtics scored in double figures and they shooting a Rondo-infused 51 percent. The attack was led by Ray Allen, scored 22 points and knocked down three 3-pointers. But he was just a cog, really.
Equally as important was Rasheed Wallace, who responded to being called out by coach Doc Rivers with one of his best games in a Celtic uniform. After not making a 3-pointer in the Celtics' first six playoff games, Wallace made three and scored 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting off the bench.
Combined with Kevin Garnett, who abused Antawn Jamison in the post on his way to 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Paul Pierce, who had 14 points, the Celtics had a strong offensive output.
The Cavs, meanwhile, followed in James footsteps and generally were not themselves offensively. They scored just 12 points in the third quarter, when the game became a rout, in one of the poorest quarters in the five-year run of the current team.
Mo Williams followed up his excellent Game 1 by going just 1-of-9 for four points. Shaquille O'Neal did not make an impact, going 4-of-10 shooting. Jamison had 16 points and six rebounds, but was unable to overcome his defensive issues.
The Cavs shot just 40 percent as a team and turned the ball over 15 times.
Link:
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/05/a_bleak_blowout_rajon_rondo_le.html