Can Celtics withstand Cavaliers, LeBron?
LeBron James against Boston in the playoffs is a spring tradition.
It is happenng for the seventh time in 11 seasons and the third time in the past four. James’ teams are 4-2 in that span, including a sweep in 2015 and a 4-1romp in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.
However, some of the intrigue anticipated in this series is missing.
Boston’s Kyrie Irving, who played for the Cavaliers last season and asked for a trade in the offseason, is out as he recovers from knee surgery.
Here are some factors that will determine this series:
LeBron vs. the Celtics
James has played the Celtics 34 times in the playoffs -- more than any other team – and created some of his most memorable playoff performances against Boston.
He has scored at least 30 points in 20 of those games, including 45 points twice.
James is playing some of the best postseason ball of his career, averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, nine assists, 1.5 steals, one block and shooting 55.3 percent from the field through 11 games.
“LeBron is on just a ridiculous run of play,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “We know it will be quite a challenge.” Who will guard James?
That’s a tough task for any player, especially if it ends up being second-year guard-forward Jaylen Brown or rookie forward Jayson Tatum.
Marcus Morris and Al Horford could get time on James, too.
Celtics defense vs. Cavs offense
Beyond stopping James, the Celtics must contend with Cleveland’s allaround firepower.
The Cavs were dialed in offensively against Toronto in the conference semifinals, scoring 121.5 points per 100 possessions – 11.4 points better than the next best offense in the second round.
When Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, George Hill and Jeff Green are on – in addition to what James does – the Cavs’ offense is as good as any in the league.
Boston, which had the best defense during the regular season, has been decent in the playoffs but hasn't faced the kind of offense Cleveland possesses. Al Horford's versatility makes him the lynchpin on defense.
Cavs’ experience
James has played almost more playoff games than the Celtics’ entire active playoff roster.
Throw in Love, Smith, Korver, Green, Hill (whose ball-handling is essential to Cleveland’s success), and Tristan Thompson, and the Cavs have a decided edge in experience, which plays a factor in how teams execute in close games.
That experience was evident in the conference semis when Cleveland had no trouble with Toronto’s talented but young bench that destroyed teams during the regular season.
Playoff basketball is a different beast.
Boston’s youth
Playoff experience aside, the Celtics have stars-in-the-making with Brown, 21, and Tatum, 20. Brown did not cower during last season’s conference finals and has only improved.
He’s averaging 16.9 points and shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 41.5 percent on three-pointers.
Tatum may not win rookie of the year but has been fantastic all season, including the playoffs, averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals and shooting 45.9 percent.
He averaged 23.6 points against Philadelphia in the conference semis and became the third rookie (Donovan Mitchell and Julius Erving) since 1972 to score at least 20 points in seven consecutive playoff games.
Tatum is also the third player 20 years old or younger (Magic Johnson, Tony Parker) to score at least 25 points in a series-clinching victory.
Don’t forget 24-year-old Terry Rozier, who has filled in for Irving better than anyone expected.