Gotta Feelin' Cavs Want Us In 1st Round

[Celtics18]

If we do end up getting the Cavs, I look forward to watching Jae Crowder battle against Lebron for a full series.  He'll get burned his fair share of the time; that's a given.  But he will battle; that's a given as well.   

[LooseCannon]

I don't think Cleveland really cares who they get in the 1st or even second round.  I don't think they'll be concerned until (or if) they play Atlanta.

If you think the Celtics are a bit like a poor man's Hawks, the Cavs might see facing the Celtics as the best preparation for an eventual battle with Atlanta.

[Kuberski33]

If it's the Cavs the Garden will rock like during the KG era and Celtics fans will get to boo LeBron like in the 'old' days.  We could get swept yet still make the Cavs sweat in every game.

One thing about the Cavs though, they haven't been through a playoff cycle yet either so they may well struggle in the first couple of rounds - especially against a well coached team, which we are.

[The Rondo Show]

Hey, Brad Stevens took Butler to the finals twice. He's not scared of anyone.

[Csfan1984]

I don't think Cleveland really cares who they get in the 1st or even second round.  I don't think they'll be concerned until (or if) they play Atlanta.

If you think the Celtics are a bit like a poor man's Hawks, the Cavs might see facing the Celtics as the best preparation for an eventual battle with Atlanta.

I think the same. I see C's like an NFL practice squad that pretends to be the other team to get starters ready for the real match up.

[Smartacus]

An underrated storyline for this series is that when Coach Nick put out the video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htiURZVuoks
Is Isaiah Thomas (Kings PG) Better Than Kyrie Irving?

Kyrie Irving took offense and made comments about how he was the superior player being that more defenses gameplan around him that IT at the time.

Kyrie could seek to use this series as an opportunity to show the analytics community who were doubtful of his value and show up IT. Tell you what though never count Thomas out, he's not the type to be easily intimidated.

[rollie mass]

they slowed down,walked the ball up the court with a couple minutes left and made a feeble attempt to cut into celtics lead,this was just more than resting lebron--they made no real attempt to come back in latter stage of 4th

[GC003332]

If they do match , it would be riot if the Celts were able to win either game 3 or 4 and the Garden to pull out the old "Overated" chant.

[GreenWarrior]

Something strange about Lebron and Love not playing in the 4th quarter in tonight's game.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs throw in the towel on Sunday's game.

Why? I think the Cavs want us bad in the 1st round!  Hate to say it folks, but we have no chance in hell vs Cleveland.

I don't think we'd beat Atlanta either, but at least with them we can maybe squeak out a couple wins.

With Cleveland, doesn't anyone really think we'd able to pull out one win vs a team with Lebron, Kyrie, Love, Mozgov and the bench they have?

I thought it was strange that the Cavs seemed prime for a comeback. then they called off the dogs and caved. that is strange, who were they trying to convince they could come back & win easily against us?

my personal feelings about this go back to a few weeks ago when we beat the Heat and then the Heat beat the Cavs the next night when Lebron gave his buddy Wade some help. then "coincidentally" we hear leading into our match up with the Cavs that "LEBRON'S NOT PLAYING!" big news right? well after the Heat lose and the Cavs still have nothing to play for is it surprising that we hear Lebron is actually going to play? not to me...in fact after the Heat lost I called up a friend and told 'em "watch Lebron will play now" ....sure enough.

I'm not complaining about Lebron playing or us having to face him. I'd rather see Atlanta because it will make for better entertainment. I fully believe what I just stated above is true regardless of no actual proof. But I see through this dude's BS and we all know Lebron and Wade have manipulated situations behind the scenes before, I wish no ill will on these guys. but I do hope for some karma. these are the 2 grimiest people going in the league today.

[Donoghus]

Cleveland can't catch Atlanta for the #1 seed and are far enough ahead that they cannot lose the #2 seed to anyone. W-L record doesn't matter for rest of regular season. They just want their players fit and ready to play come playoff time.

This, I think, is the real reason.

There is still way too much at play with 4 teams for CLE to "determine" their first round opponent.

[GreenFaith1819]

Whomever we play, as long as we go in there swinging, we have a shot. That's all you can ask for.

If we compete you never know what can happen.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I am hoping we will be play teh Bucks on wed for 6th, If we get the Cavs I hope we shock them and win one in Cleve. Go Celtics

[j804]

As much as I hate to admit it I'm pretty sure the OP is right. I mean would you rather play vets and a playoff tested team in the Nets/Heat or would you rather face the young pups tasting their first playoff experience? IT is our biggest go to guy and weapon and he's struggled against Clevleand (when there starters played).

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/04/cleveland_cavaliers_have_reach.html

[slamtheking]

I don't think Cleveland really cares who they get in the 1st or even second round.  I don't think they'll be concerned until (or if) they play Atlanta.

If you think the Celtics are a bit like a poor man's Hawks, the Cavs might see facing the Celtics as the best preparation for an eventual battle with Atlanta.

I think the same. I see C's like an NFL practice squad that pretends to be the other team to get starters ready for the real match up.

C's are closer to a poverty-stricken version of the Hawks rather than a poor man's version.  can't see how they'd look at the C's as practice for the Hawks.

[SHAQATTACK]

I can't help but feeling LBJ  was scouting , to see how how much he ll have to play for them to win the series.   Maybe he just felt he needed to make an appearance on the court for the home fan.....which I can understand .

Seems IF they wanted to win, they would have played Irving or let Love and LBJ attempt to win.

The game was very winnable for Cavs when Love and James left to rest.

Seems awful suspect .

It was a win ..win...the announcers said the bench needed practice .....we were practice for the bench.....so they got that too......and losing was probably in their best interest anyways...so they could meet the C's.....oh well ...it is what it is ....we might have done the same

LeBron had a plan ....and it didn't seem winning the game was top of that agenda



All that aside ...I enjoyed the win anyways .....the Nets would not be in the playoff chase if they had not had all kinds of similar breaks . 

I ll take it.