Who should start against the Cavs?

[jpotter33]

I think it's down to Amir or KO to start against the Cavs. Amir looked back to his terrible self again tonight, though, so I'm not really trusting him against the very active Thompson down low.

After KO's big night and with him shooting the ball better, why not start him? At least he'd give us that extra offense that could be especially helpful against a lackluster Cleveland defense. That'd also give us much more spacing, shooting, and playmaking in the starting unit to take advantage of a really weak Cavs D. KO also is better moving off the ball, and he gives IT two really good PnR/PnPop options between KO and Horford.

[Tr1boy]

I think it's down to Amir or KO to start against the Cavs. Amir looked back to his terrible self again tonight, though, so I'm not really trusting him against the very active Thompson down low.

After KO's big night and with him shooting the ball better, why not start him? At least he'd give us that extra offense that could be especially helpful against a lackluster Cleveland defense. That'd also give us much more spacing, shooting, and playmaking in the starting unit to take advantage of a really weak Cavs D. KO also is better moving off the ball, and he gives IT two really good PnR/PnPop options between KO and Horford.

Gerald Green in place of Amir

Cavs really dont have much of an inside presence outside of Thompson and Lebron

[GreenCoffeeBean]

KO for that psychological affect

[green_bballers13]

Def Kelly. Gotta ride the hot hand at home. If his shots are hitting, he's much more valuable than Amir. I also think he might be a better defensive matchup on the perimeter vs Love.

I like Avery on Kyrie and IT on JR Smith. Crowder, Brown, and Smart are going to have their hands full with Lebron. We're going to need Horford to step up his rebounding game against Love and Thompson. He's also going to have to score.

[Greyman]

I think Amir will start. KO will get lots of minutes, especially if he is hot.

[JohnBoy65]

KO has prove to be so valuable in his bench role this postseason. The minutes he normally gets off the bench do you give those to Amir? Our bench scoring decreases significantly. Or do you give Jerebko KO's bench minutes and give Amir a DNP Coaches decision.

I think at the end of the day Brad won't change much other than subbing KO a little quicker.

[BitterJim]

I think it's down to Amir or KO to start against the Cavs. Amir looked back to his terrible self again tonight, though, so I'm not really trusting him against the very active Thompson down low.

After KO's big night and with him shooting the ball better, why not start him? At least he'd give us that extra offense that could be especially helpful against a lackluster Cleveland defense. That'd also give us much more spacing, shooting, and playmaking in the starting unit to take advantage of a really weak Cavs D. KO also is better moving off the ball, and he gives IT two really good PnR/PnPop options between KO and Horford.

Gerald Green in place of Amir

Cavs really dont have much of an inside presence outside of Thompson and Lebron

How would that work defensively? Horford on Love, Crowder on Thompson, Bradley on Irving, IT on Smith, and Gerald Green on Lebron? Or put Crowder on Lebron and end up with Green trying (or not even trying) to box out Thompson?

Starting that small against Cleveland is a death wish.  If you want to start small then you throw in Brown to cover Lebron

[NHCelticsFan]

Keep Amir.

That unit, as well as the bench players, have developed chemistry.

Amir helps a lot when guys drive to the basket, and he only plays about 20 minutes a game.  I like having him out there at the start of each half before turning it over to the bench players.

[Green-18]

I think Brad will stick with Amir to begin the series now that our team is peaking at the right time.  Personally I want to see us play IT, Bradley, Jaylen, Crowder, and Horford together early in the game.  Our best chance in this series is to play with pace.  We know LeBron will be the difference at the end of the day but let's force the rest of the Cavs to dig in and play defense for 48 minutes.  We need to dictate the tempo and make Cleveland's role players give more effort than they're used to.

[TheSundanceKid]

Amir. Do the same we have done all season, defence in the middle to start, then stretch them out as they get tired. It's a formula that has worked so far, I don't think changing it will help. I also don't like the idea of KO against Thompson, it just screams foul trouble to me