After two dominant games in Boston, the Cleveland Cavaliers will return home with a commanding 2-0 series lead to play the depleted Boston Celtics. The first two games were an absolute embarrassment for the Celtics, especially Game 2. The Cavaliers thrashed Boston by 44 points in the second contest, as Isaiah Thomas went down with a hip injury, didn’t return for the second half, and is now out for the remainder of the playoffs. What can the Celtics do without their All-Star point guard?
Cavaliers should be able to win easily again
The Cavaliers had an easy time beating the Celtics in the first two games on the road, and Thomas was available in those games.
Now, being back at home with Thomas out, Cleveland shouldn’t have any issues destroying the Celtics on their way to a 3-0 series lead. If the Celtics couldn’t do anything on their home floor, it seems highly unlikely that they can do anything on the road.
Where will the Celtics find offense?
Even with Thomas in the lineup, the Celtics had trouble finding quality offense because the Cavaliers defense was just too overwhelming. With Thomas gone, it’s going to be much harder for Boston to find scoring. Who will step up?
Al Horford and Avery Bradley will have to be the main contributors, but without Thomas, Cleveland should be able to play man-to-man defense, which would make it very difficult for Boston.
Jae Crowder will have to be another player that needs to raise his level of play offensively. Ultimately, the Celtics certainly don’t have enough to compete against a powerhouse like Cleveland.
How do you stop the Cavaliers?
The Celtics have been incredibly soft through two games. They are getting bullied by LeBron James, who is simply driving the ball to the basket with no resistance.
For some reason, the Celtics are using Kelly Olynyk to defend James at times. Unfortunately, Crowder hasn’t done a good job on James either, as he continuously gets burned and overpowered. The Celtics literally have no answer for LeBron, and nothing is going to change in Game 3. Even when the Celtics converge on James, he easily finds his open teammates, who have been consistent throughout this series.
Kevin Love has been phenomenal, averaging 26.5 points and 12 rebounds on 53 percent shooting. He has been the best supporting player for LeBron in this series due to the open looks he has received. The Cavaliers should continue to expose the Celtics on defensively once again, no doubt about it.
At this point, the Cavaliers look like they are on their way to another sweep. Game 3 will take place at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland and will be televised on TNT at 8:30 pm Eastern Time.
