Photo Courtesy: Dominic Ceraldi
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are back in the postseason, and we finally know who they’ll play. Boston went 2-2 against the Cavaliers in the regular season. The Celtics are back in the playoffs after a one-year absence, and for the first time under head coach Brad Stevens. The Celtics finished 40-42 on the season, a 15-win improvement and good for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, setting them up for a first-round meeting with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston has a very young team that surprised a few NBA teams. Honestly speaking, the Celtics making the playoffs are unexpected. After trading away a really good team on the hopes of rebuilding Boston took a huge chance on this team. Trading away Jeff Green which was their best player and keeping some otherwise “B plus” players at best made the playoffs. Gerald Wallace, Evan Turner, Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas have their hands full with Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving has shown his amazing talent level this year. He has adjusted to not having the ball in his hands when LeBron is on the floor and taking over when LBJ takes a seat. He is averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game with PER of 21.57. Even with LeBron and Kevin Love, Irving increased his scoring from last season. His defense has gone from “worst in the league” area to competent. It has been a huge improvement. When fans talk about the Cavs the first name people say is LBJ or King James. Listen, if he was hurt the key is Kyrie! They have an excellent bench with Iman Shumpert and J. R. Smith who’s capable over scoring 20 plus at any given time.
My prediction: Cavs in five games (that’s a stretch!). Boston has no chance of beating the best team in the East.
Upcoming Schedule
Game 1: Sunday, Boston at Cleveland, 2 p.m. CT (ABC)
Game 2: Tuesday, Boston at Cleveland, 6 p.m. CT
Game 3: Thu. April 23, Cleveland at Boston, 6 p.m. CT
Game 4: Sun. April 26, Cleveland at Boston, 12 p.m. CT (ABC)
*Game 5: Tue. April 28, Boston at Cleveland, TBD
*Game 6: Thu. April 30, Cleveland at Boston, TBD
*Game 7: Sat. May 2, Boston at Cleveland , TBD
