The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Celtics show they aren’t in awe of James
Six takeaways from the Cavaliers’ 108-83 loss to the Celtics on May 13 in Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals:
• The Cavaliers played most of the game as though they were still resting from completing a sweep of the Toronto Raptors on May 7.
The Celtics played hard. The Cavaliers did not. Their lack of intensity on both ends of the floor in such a big game is concerning.
The Celtics led, 3618, at the end of the first quarter. They made 12 layups on their way to a 61-35 halftime lead. Part of it was because of the Celtics moved the ball to alertly find a player open near the rim. But part of it was because the Cavaliers were slow to react.
The Cavs made a run in the third quarter and cut the lead to 78-64 with 12 minutes to play, but a quick seven-point run by the Celtics to start the final period ended any hope of a comeback.
• The Celtics’ Marcus Morris boasted about how well he can defend LeBron James and then, with the help of his teammates, proved it.
James made just five of 16 shots from the field and finished with 15 points – 19 below his playoff average. He had seven rebounds and nine assists while playing only 36 minutes, but he also made seven turnovers.
James did not seem enthused. He showed that when he just stood and watched the Celtics’ Marcus Smart sink a corner 3-pointer 36 seconds into the fourth quarter to expand the Boston lead to 83-64.
It was similar to the way James played in the first game of the playoffs when he didn’t attempt a shot until the Pacers led, 25-8.
James finished that game with 24 points, but Indiana went on to win, 98-80.
• James likes to say the first game of a playoff series is “a feel-out game.” He and his teammates go to the film before practice the next day, make adjustments and prepare for a better result.
Case in point: After losing the series opener to Indiana, James responded with 46 points the next game against the Pacers, but the Cavaliers won by only three, 100-97.
Case in points Two: The Cavs had to go overtime to beat Toronto, 113-112, in the first game of the East semifinals. James scored 26 points.
Two nights later, after another film session and adjustments, the Cavs demolished the Raptors, 128-110. James scored 43 points.
Coach Tyronn Lue better order in some extra popcorn for the film session on May 14, because the Cavaliers have a lot to adjust before Game 2 on May 15.
• The Cavaliers missed their first 14 attempts from 3-point range and finished just 4-of-26 from long range. James was 0-for-5.
Kyle Korver was 1-for-5. J.R. Smith was 0-for-3 and Kevin Love was 1-for-4.
The Cavaliers won’t win many games making 15.4 percent of their shots from long range. Some of the misses were from open looks. But the biggest reason they shot so poorly is because of the way the Celtics defended.
Expect one of the adjustments the Cavs make to involve more ball movement around the perimeter.
• James wasn’t the only one who seemed un-enthused. His teammates followed his lead. That is a problem for this team. When James is off, no one picks up the slack. The Celtics know if they defend James well their chances of winning increase tenfold.
The Cavs need more from Love (5-for-14, eight rebounds) and more from Smith (2-of-9, one rebound, one assist in 28 minutes).
Starting point guard George Hill, after playing so well in the Toronto series, was invisible in 28 minutes against the Celtics.
• We can go on and on about what the Cavaliers did wrong. The fact is the Celtics, even without injured Kyrie Irving (knee) are a very good team. They are fundamentally sound, don’t let up on defense, and they listen to Coach Brad Stevens.
The Celtics aren’t in awe of LeBron James, and that might be their best trait of all this series.
Reach Schudel at JSchudel@News-Herald.com. On Twitter: @jsproinsider