Celtics facing uphill challenge
Top-seeded Boston can’t afford to let LeBron roll over them again in Game 2
BOSTON — LeBron James did pretty much whatever he wanted to against the Celtics in the Cavaliers’ dominating win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
He was efficient, scoring from the outside, rolling downhill and getting to the rim at will, dishing to his teammates and locking down Boston’s scorers whenever called upon.
With home court advantage gone, the Celtics face a virtual must-win Game 2 situation on Friday.
Boston must find a way to slowdown James while not getting eaten up by a supporting cast, which other than Kevin Love’s big game, didn’t produce at its usual high rate.
Oh, and there’s extra motivation for Cleveland — now 9-0 in these playoffs — which could earn another long rest if it makes quick work of the Celtics.
But here’s the rub for top-seeded Boston on Friday night: James said he wasn’t even playing at peak condition after Cleveland’s 10-day layoff between rounds.
“I felt OK last night,” James said on Thursday.
“I knew I wouldn’t feel that great after the game, and I don’t feel that great right now ... But I should be much better (Friday).”
Better than 38 points, nine rebounds and seven assists? Good luck with that, Boston.
Still, James said, the Cavs are mentally preparing themselves for the Celtics’ best shot in Game 2.
“There’s going to be some adjustments made from both sides. We have to be ready for it,” he said.
“Obviously, we don’t know the exact adjustments, but we know they’re going to make adjustments. That’s what good teams do, and we have to be ready for whatever they bring to the table.”
Most of the Cavs’ damage in Game 1 was done by only two players — James and Love.
Kyrie Irving had just 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting, and usually dependable sharpshooters J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver were a combined 2-for-8 as coach Tyronn Lue used a different second unit to start the second quarter with James resting.
A loss on Friday would also leave Boston with the daunting proposition of having to win four out of five games to capture the series — a nearly impossible task against a team that, since James returned to Cleveland in 2014-15, has a 33-4 playoff record against Eastern Conference opponents.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said his optimism remains high, and that he was “really encouraged” by his team’s performance over the final 18 minutes of the game. It included getting within 11 points with less than 2 minutes to play.
But if the Celtics are going to pick themselves up, it must start with All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who scored 17 points, but had to work for every single one just to finish 7 for 19 from the field. He also had a team-high four turnovers — another red flag for Boston’s prospects.
For his part, Thomas said there doesn’t need to be a lot of soul searching.
“There’s nothing to figure out,” Thomas said.
“They play their traditional way. I mean, they definitely showed a few bodies that was aggressive on me, but that’s nothing I haven’t seen this whole year. I mean, I’ve seen it all ... I’ve just got to be more aggressive, make plays, make shots, and go from there.”
A bigger problem for Boston is that James scored on all seven defenders that the Celtics threw at him in Game 1 — Crowder, Thomas, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Gerald Green and Kelly Olynyk.
Conversely, James has shown an ability to completely stifle Thomas on the defensive end. On the lone one-on-one possession in which Thomas was guarded by James — in the second quarter — the Celtics guard was called for a travelling violation after James cut off his driving lane, contested his awkward layup attempt and forced Thomas to catch his own shot, resulting in a turnover.
And even if Thomas can rediscover his shot, he will need more scoring help against the Cavs’ Big Three. It’s a luxury not lost on Lue. “Any given night, it could be Kyrie, could be LeBron, could be Kevin, Korver, J.R. (Smith), Tristan (Thompson),” Lue said.
“So we just take what the defence gives us, and that’s how we try to play. And whatever guys are doing, we try to ride the hot hand and everyone else will fill in.”
So, with James maybe 100 per cent, and more options waiting in the wings, the Celtics indeed face an uphill challenge.