EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS PREVIEW

The Eastern Conference finals, which start Sunday, will pit the resilient Boston Celtics against the rebuilt Cleveland Cavaliers. Here’s a look at how the teams match up: 2. BOSTON

55-27 (Home 27-14; Road 28-13) 1st round def. Milwaukee 4-3. 2nd round def. Philadelphia 4-1.

4. CLEVELAND

50-32 (Home 29-12; Road 21-20) 1st round def. Indiana 4-3. 2nd round def. Toronto 4-0.

Season series: Cavaliers 2-1.

Key stats: Nine players from last year’s Boston-Cleveland conference finals series will participate in this year’s rematch . ... Cleveland’s LeBron James is seeking his eighth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. He is averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists in the playoffs while shooting 55.3% . ... Boston big man Al Horford’s teams are 1-16 in playoff games against James’ teams. Outlook: After Boston’s intense injuries and Cleveland’s massive makeover, this series looks far different from last year’s matchup or what was projected earlier this season. A Kyrie IrvingIsaiah Thomas matchup has become a Terry RozierGeorge Hill duel. This series is about how the shrewd tactics of Celtics coach Brad Stevens can counter James’ remarkable late-career resurgence. Boston will try rotating personnel and various schemes to reduce James’ dominance, but the key might be neutralizing the supporting cast. Horford has been a two-way star and will be tough on Kevin Love, who averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 54% in his last three Cleveland games. Boston has leaned on top-rated defense when the offense waned but has found scoring in Rozier and rookie Jayson Tatum.