Author Topic: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD  (Read 42955 times)

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Online FLCeltsFan

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Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1) at Boston Celtics (1-0)
Round 2 Game 2qw
Thursday, May 8
7:00 PM, ESPN, CSN HD   
TD Banknorth Garden


Probable Starting Matchups 
Point Guard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Delonte West

Shooting Guard
    vs 
Ray Allen vs Wally Szczerbiak

Small Forward
  vs 
Paul Pierce vs LeBron James

Power Forward 
  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Ben Wallace 

Center

  vs   
Kendrick Perkins vs Zydrunas Ilgauskas 

Key off the Bench
  vs 

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Delonte West
Just as he did with Mike Bibby, Rajon Rondo out-played Delonte West by a big margin.  When Rondo goes out, however, the ball movement seems to stop.  We need Rondo to stay out of foul trouble and to stay on the court.  He is vital to this team's success.  As we saw when he was in Boston, Delonte is a streaky shooter.  He wasn't hitting in the last game and may come out hitting everything in this game. 

  vs 
Paul Pierce vs LeBron James
This matchup didn't disappoint in the first game but instead of being an offensive duel, it was a defensive duel.  Pierce shot just 4-14 and Lebron was 4-18.  Whether it was because of their defensive efforts or just an off shooting night, we aren't likely to see both of these stars shooting this poorly 2 games in a row. 

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Ben Wallace (Joe Smith)
Kevin Garnett seemed to get anything he wanted on the court in the first game.  For much of the game, KG was matched up against Joe Smith because of Wallace's limitations on offense and the free throw line. Wallace does a good job on KG defensively but with him in, KG can double off of Wallace on the other end.  This is a matchup the Celtics should look to exploit.   

to the game

Defense  The first game was a defensive battle of epic proportions with the Cavs shooting just 31% and the Celtics shooting just 43%.  LeBron was held to just 2-18 from the field which was a career low in field goal percentage.  The Celtics' defense won this game for them when 2/3 of the Big 3 were a combined 2-18.  The Celtics have to continue to play that swarming team defense as it is the key to winning. 


Rebounding   The Cavs are a very good rebounding team with 7'3" Ilgauskas leading the way.   The Celtics need to crash the boards on the defensive end  to keep the Cavs from getting 2nd and 3rd chances at the basket.  They also have to go after offensive rebounds, especially if they shoot as poorly as they did in game 1. 

Be Aggressive  The Celtics need to be aggressive right from the beginning of the game.  They have to be aggressive taking the ball to the basket and not settle for jumpers.  They have to be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds as well.   In game 1, once again they had a big lead after 1 and then slacked off when the starters went out and lost it.  The bench has to be just as aggressive in taking it to the hoop, going after loose balls and rebounds and in swarming them on defense. 

X-Factor
Bench Play    The Celtics' bench must produce.  They have to not let up on defense when they come in for the starters and they have to stay just as aggressive as the starters.   Sam Cassell has to move the basketball and keep the offense going.  It seems as though when Sam comes in the ball movement stops. 
« Last Edit: May 08, 2008, 07:29:27 AM by FLCeltsFan »

Offline Big Ticket

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Personally, I want to see the ball fed to KG 50 times per game the rest of the series.  He's the one player they really can't match up against.  Ben Wallace Ds him up a little better than Smith, but then  KG can just roam around on defense and wreak havoc.

This is a series where Pierce and Allen need to understand that their offense is going to be tough to come by and their efforts are better served defensively.  Get KG the ball, let him attack, and if the Cavs decide to try and stop that, THEN Ray and Pierce can find their scoring.  And Rondo needs to attack!  All game!  Not just for a short burst when Pierce/Ray go to the bench.

This is not the series to "share".  KG presents a big mismatch for the Cavs, and failing to take advantage of it would be silly.


"It ain't about me.  It's about us."  - KG, interview with John Thompson, 2005 All Star Game.

Offline BudweiserCeltic

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Let's sweep this suckas.

Offline Crooksey

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Go Celts!!...from Florida

Offline celticmaestro

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"set picks and trust them, that's our gameplan" - doc on wired.

let's see if doc's coaching job is as good as it was on tuesday...

Offline Aussie Celtic

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Best of luck boys.

May the leprechauns be with you.

Very nervous, need some chillin' vibes from BassThumper.

You'll here me cheering from down under.

Go the Green !!!!

Cheers

Aussie

Offline butterbeanlove

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Perk is helpless against Z but as long as KG is playing free safety in our D I am OK with it. I'd much rather have Z lead them in scoring.

Offline celticmaestro

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someone needs to stop ilgauskas. perkins doesn't seem up to it.

Offline Scott

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Nice, three by Pierce.

Offline BASSTHUMPER

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come on paul do yo thang...

Re: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2008, 07:27:14 PM »

Offline celticmaestro

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get powe in, get perk out.

Re: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2008, 07:27:23 PM »

Offline the TRUTH

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looks like we're playing 5 on 8 again. the nba - where david stern happens

Re: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2008, 07:27:50 PM »

Offline BudweiserCeltic

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Rondo looks very sloppy out there.

Re: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2008, 07:29:09 PM »

Offline butterbeanlove

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Cavs making adjustments moving Z outside.

Anyone know what's wrong with Ben?

Re: 2nd Round Game 2 Cavaliers at Celtics 5/8/08 7:00 PM ESPN, CSN HD
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2008, 07:30:07 PM »

Offline mahonedog88

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Lookin ugly to start off again...unfortunately the Cavs aren't.

Rondo's havin a crappy start to this game and Ray Allen needs to get his head in this game, better yet head in this series.

And can someone please never leave Ilgauskas's side?