Cavaliers (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 5/7/24

[keevsnick]

My guess is they'll start out with Brown on Mitchell, and Tatum on Okoro. That way Tatum can just play way off okoro and provide some supplemental rim protection. Then they'll have White chasing Strus around screens.

I'll be at the game (in the nosebleeds), so hoping this is a fun game that they win by 10+ so its not too stressful. I went to game #1 of the Phili series lats year and it was not fun watching harden drop them without Embiid.

[A Future of Stevens]

Let's go Celtics! I hope they bring the intensity and don't mess around.

[Who]

The Lead
@TheLeadSM
Defensive leaders in the 2024 Playoffs:

Contested shots:
102 - Evan Mobley
66 - Brook Lopez
65 - Hartenstein, Embiid

Blocks:
21 - Evan Mobley
11 - Chet Holmgren
9- DJJ, Embiid, Isaac

Loose Balls recovered:
13 - Josh Hart
12 - Evan Mobley
12 - Joel Embiid

Some nice defensive stats from Mobley.

[keevsnick]

The Lead
@TheLeadSM
Defensive leaders in the 2024 Playoffs:

Contested shots:
102 - Evan Mobley
66 - Brook Lopez
65 - Hartenstein, Embiid

Blocks:
21 - Evan Mobley
11 - Chet Holmgren
9- DJJ, Embiid, Isaac

Loose Balls recovered:
13 - Josh Hart
12 - Evan Mobley
12 - Joel Embiid

Some nice defensive stats from Mobley.

Evan Mobley is a very good defender. But also when you have a team like Orlando with ZERO outside shooting you will likely rack up some contested shots and blocks becasue those type of teams have to force the ball inside.

Fun fact: The C's were blocked THE LEAST # of times by any team this season. having stretch bugs to pull rim protectors away from the hoop is vital. Also taking the most threes in the league helps.

This is part of the reaosn I'm skeptical the cavs will shut down the C's. Going inside isn't really the c's game, shooting threes off kick outs is. And the Cavs have good rim protection but they don't have length to close out on shooters.

[Who]

They are saying Dean Wade is still out. Might return later in series.

I haven't come across any update for Jarrett Allen for tonight's game. Still questionable.

[keevsnick]

They are saying Dean Wade is still out. Might return later in series.

I haven't come across any update for Jarrett Allen for tonight's game. Still questionable.

A chest injury is real rough for a center, you have to be able to take blows to the chest on contests. If he does play they should test him early and see if he shys from contact.

Does anybody know exactly what the injury is? Does he have a broken rib? Broke cartilage? Just a really bad bruise?

[Who]

Donovan Mitchell scored 44.1% of the Cavs points in Game 6 and Game 7.

D Mitchell became only the 2nd Cavs player ever after LeBron to score 200 points in an individual series.

[keevsnick]

Donovan Mitchell scored 44.1% of the Cavs points in Game 6 and Game 7.

If he scores 44% of the Cavs points against the C's I think its a short series, other guys will need to step up and hit shots. Can't win scoring 95-100 against the C's.

[Who]

[SHAQATTACK]

My guess is they'll start out with Brown on Mitchell, and Tatum on Okoro. That way Tatum can just play way off okoro and provide some supplemental rim protection. Then they'll have White chasing Strus around screens.

I'll be at the game (in the nosebleeds), so hoping this is a fun game that they win by 10+ so its not too stressful. I went to game #1 of the Phili series lats year and it was not fun watching harden drop them without Embiid.

I have my bottle of nerve medicine on standby tonight

[celticinorlando]

The Lead
@TheLeadSM
Defensive leaders in the 2024 Playoffs:

Contested shots:
102 - Evan Mobley
66 - Brook Lopez
65 - Hartenstein, Embiid

Blocks:
21 - Evan Mobley
11 - Chet Holmgren
9- DJJ, Embiid, Isaac

Loose Balls recovered:
13 - Josh Hart
12 - Evan Mobley
12 - Joel Embiid

Some nice defensive stats from Mobley.

Mobley can be bullied some also.

[blink]

Donovan Mitchell scored 44.1% of the Cavs points in Game 6 and Game 7.

If he scores 44% of the Cavs points against the C's I think its a short series, other guys will need to step up and hit shots. Can't win scoring 95-100 against the C's.

+1 on the bolded.  Cavs need big production from the guys other than DM.

[hodgy03038]

Let's GO Celts! Big Al and Kournette need to hold down the fort.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

[SHAQATTACK]

Kornet is an assassin.

A nuke ready to discharge on the Cavs