Celtics vs. Cavs second-round playoff preview, odds and prediction firstly gave the impression on NBC Sports activities Boston
The Boston Celtics exorcised some contemporary playoff demons by means of dispatching the Miami Warmth within the first around of the 2024 NBA playoffs.
They will have the ability to do extra exorcising in Spherical 2.
Boston will face the Cleveland Cavaliers within the Japanese Convention semifinals after the Cavs beat the Orlando Magic in Recreation 7 on Sunday. It is the Celtics’ fourth playoff sequence in opposition to Cleveland up to now 10 years, with the Cavs profitable the former 3 in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
So much has modified since then, after all: LeBron James took his abilities from Cleveland to Los Angeles, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — thrust into beginning roles throughout that 2018 sequence at age 19 and 21, respectively — have blossomed into All-Stars for Boston.
The Celtics are the transparent favourite this yr after a dominant 64-18 steady season, however Kristaps Porzingis’ calf harm — which is anticipated to sideline him for all the moment around — may just complicate their trail, whilst Donovan Mitchell shall be desperate to play spoiler in opposition to what could be his favourite NBA opponent (extra on that later).
So, how will this one play out? Here is a complete sequence preview that includes a recap of the groups’ regular-season matchups, keys to victory for each and every squad and our sequence prediction.
Collection time table
Here is a take a look at the Celtics’ complete second-round time table, with tip-off instances already set for Video games 1 thru 4.
Song into NBC Sports activities Boston an hour prior to tip-off of each and every recreation for Celtics Pregame Reside, at halftime for Celtics Halftime Reside and instantly after each and every recreation for Celtics Postgame Reside.
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Common season head-to-head
The Celtics trailed by means of as many as 15 issues early within the groups’ first assembly however outscored Cleveland in each and every of the general 3 quarters to grind out a house win. Tatum and Brown scored 25 apiece whilst all 5 Boston starters reached double digits in a balanced scoring effort.
Two nights later, the Celtics once more fended off a pesky Cavs group led by means of Donovan Mitchell (31 issues, 8 rebounds, six assists), Caris LeVert (26 issues) and Darius Garland (19 issues). In a near-carbon reproduction in their earlier assembly, all 5 C’s starters scored in double figures with Tatum (27 issues) and Brown (22 issues) main the best way.
The Celtics led by means of 22 issues coming into the fourth quarter and gave the impression on their method to a season sequence sweep. Then Dean Wade took place.
The Cavs position participant exploded for 20 issues within the fourth quarter, hitting 5 of five 3-pointers and seven of seven shot makes an attempt to lend a hand Cleveland typhoon again for a shocking victory in spite of taking part in with out Mitchell. Tatum had an opportunity to win the sport at the ultimate ownership however ignored a last-second jumper as time expired.
All 3 of Boston’s matchups with the Cavs have been made up our minds by means of fewer than 10 issues, suggesting this generally is a a lot more tightly-contested sequence than Spherical 1, the place the Celtics led by means of as many as 27 issues in all 4 in their victories over Miami.
Story of the Tape
This is how the Celtics and Cavs when compared in different notable statistical classes throughout the steady season, with Boston retaining the brink in all however one class. (NBA rank in parentheses.)
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The Celtics will win the sequence if…
They maintain two elements constant: effort and tempo.
The Celtics confirmed a puzzling loss of the previous of their Recreation 2 loss to the Warmth, however answered ratcheting up the defensive depth in Video games 3, 4 and 5. Whilst the Cavs are a lot more proficient offensively than Miami, the C’s are nearly unimaginable to overcome when they are profitable 50/50 balls and are hooked up defensively.
On offense, Boston equipped a blueprint for good fortune with out Porzingis in Recreation 5 by means of cranking up the tempo and conserving the ball transferring, hitting 16 of 40 3-pointers whilst racking up 23 assists with 8 avid gamers recording more than one helpers.
The Celtics have been 43-10 this season after they tried no less than 40 3-pointers and 54-11 after they passed out no less than 23 assists. When the ball stopped transferring and the tempo slowed, that is when Boston’s offense bumped into hassle.
The only silver lining of Porzingis’ absence is that it will have to pressure the Celtics to extend their ball motion and push the tempo as a substitute of letting Porzingis move 1-on-1 within the publish. If they are able to reflect what we noticed in Recreation 5 in opposition to a much less bodily Cavs group, a place within the Japanese Convention Finals awaits.
The Cavs will win the sequence if…
Their Large Two turns into the Large 3 (or 4).
Mitchell is a postseason stud who is scored 30 or extra issues in 23 of his 52 occupation playoff video games, together with a 50-piece in Recreation 6 in opposition to the Magic and 39 issues within the Recreation 7 clincher. He is additionally a Celtics killer: His 29.6 issues in step with recreation in opposition to Boston are probably the most he is scored in opposition to any NBA opponent (minimal 5 video games performed).
The Celtics’ recreation plan will have to get started with containing Mitchell and Garland, Cleveland’s second-leading scorer and main assister. However the Cavs have two position avid gamers able to burning the C’s: Caris LeVert and Max Strus.
LeVert dropped 26 issues on Boston again in December and has scored 40 or extra issues in opposition to the Celtics two times in his occupation. Strus, in the meantime, drilled 8 3-pointers in a three-game span in opposition to Boston as a member of the Warmth to lend a hand Miami win the 2023 Japanese Convention Finals.
Mitchell is totally able to profitable no less than one recreation on his personal, and if he will get lend a hand from his supporting solid, that quantity may just build up.
Some other storyline to watch: Large guy Jarrett Allen, who averaged 17 issues and 13.8 rebounds in Video games 1 thru 4 in opposition to Orlando, has ignored the final 3 video games because of a rib harm. He and fell giant guy Evan Mobley are each very good defenders as neatly who may just make it tricky for Boston to attain within the paint.
Odds
Unsurprisingly, the Celtics input this sequence as heavy favorites. They are nonetheless the odds-on favorites to win the NBA identify forward of the Denver Nuggets.
Prediction
Celtics in six.
The Cavs don’t seem to be the Warmth, other people. Mitchell has a confirmed playoff monitor document and paperwork a robust backcourt along Garland. Large males Mobley and Allen (if wholesome) may just give Boston hassle on each ends with Porzingis most probably sidelined for all the sequence.
The Celtics are identify favorites for a reason why, despite the fact that. They are immensely proficient on each ends — Derrick White’s emergence as Boston’s third-leading scorer is a game-changer offensively — and confirmed spectacular center of attention and adulthood of their 3 consecutive wins over a scrappy Warmth group in Spherical 1.
Mitchell would possibly put the Cavs on his again in a single recreation, and the C’s would possibly move chilly past the arc in any other. However the Celtics are too excellent for this sequence to last more than six video games.