Predict the Cavs Series

[GratefulCs]

Celtics sweep the Cavs








Wait, it's 2008, right?

[Kuberski33]

IT's going to be really interesting to see what Stevens does here.  With this team his focus for a week or so, it will be interesting to see if he find some exploits.  Guessing we get swept, though.  Too much talent on that team.

That to me is what's most intriguing.  Its an NBA rule of thumb that talent always prevails in the playoffs and teams without a star almost always fail.  On the other hand, Brad Stevens came within a last second heave of pulling off the greatest run in NCAA history with Butler, and then a year later came back with a team with no Hayward and made it to the final game.

Its going to be a lot of fun to watch him coach a team playing at peak efficiency with absolutely nothing to lose in a playoff series vs LeBron & Co.  If the Celtics can somehow get one of the first two in Cleveland, the Garden will be absolutely electric in Games 3-4.

I just think the Celtics lack of rim protection does them in because LeBron and Kyrie get to the rim far too easily when it really counts.  But I'm really looking forward to this series.

[Celtics18]

Cs in 7.

[Rakulp]

6 games...tough loss to close the series.

...and I fully expect to get a game in Cleveland.

Rak

[Mazingerz]

Celtics in 5 games; Lequeen opts out of Cleveland again; Kevin Love opts out; Gilbert sells the team; Blatt goes back to Israel;

[SparzWizard]

Celtics in 5 games; Lequeen opts out of Cleveland again; Kevin Love opts out; Gilbert sells the team; Blatt goes back to Israel;

Cleveland gets the number 1 lottery pick again. Same 'ol same 'ol.

[Salesgod]

This feels a whole lot like the Hawks vs the C's in 08. A gritty, young, fearless team that's got nothing to lose and too fresh to worry about losing. In a 7 game series Kevin Love can be exposed. I'm crossing my fingers for Cavs in 6 or 7. There is no doubt in my mind that the Celtics are as build for the playoff as any of the top 4 seeds, especially the Raptors. Defensive wins championships and the C's have been playing playoff-type games for the last month, with success.

[Drucci]

I'm actually quite optimistic because we matchup well with them defensively at every key position except the 4 spot. Smart vs Irving, Bradley vs Smith, Crowder vs LeBron... We have no one to guard Love properly but I think he will underperform (just a gut feeling).

However I don't think we will pull an upset because I fear we might struggle mightily on the road, the playoffs being a new experience for the vast majority of our players. The Cleveland crowd should be ferocious for the first two games, so a lot depends on how we handle that. I also think that, ultimately, our lack of scoring will kill us : even if IT performs well (and I'm sure he will) he won't get enough help.

In the end, I predict 4-1 or 4-2 for Cleveland. I will go for 4-2 because I think the Celtics will surprise many once again by showing some wild toughness and great coaching by Stevens.

[Mazingerz]

Celtics in 5 games; Lequeen opts out of Cleveland again; Kevin Love opts out; Gilbert sells the team; Blatt goes back to Israel;

Cleveland gets the number 1 lottery pick again. Same 'ol same 'ol.

But the Ghosts of Celtics past will continue to haunt Lequeen and the Cavs;

[GC003332]

Cavs in 5

I wonder what strategies CBS pulls to slow their offence down. Maybe pull hack-a-Mozgov (even though 72%)or Thompson, even though I don't see him getting any serious playing time in a close game even Hack-a-Perk if he checks in.
Heck I wouldn't put in past CBS to pull a hack-a-Lebron in Boston if need be.

Even putting a way smaller defender on Kevin Love to bait them to feed the post and get the ball out of Lebron and Kyries hands at certain times.

The good news is we have been resting our lone all star all season keeping him fresh for the post season

[BornReady]

Cavs in 5

We steal one at home with either a turner or Thomas clutch shot

Also Marcus smart has a breakout offense game that puts guys on notice about him and his potential, where he scores at least 20 and dishes 6 and plays crazy defence against Irving

[GreenWarrior]

gee, can't tell this is a Celtics board....

c'mon people be realistic.

[incoherent]

Everyone get ready to be massively frustrated by some extremely bias Reffing.

Zero chance the refs let this be a series.

[TheFlex]

Celtics in 7.



Also, Marcus Smart has no armpit hair.

[Celtics17]

Gotta go with the Cavs in 6 on this one although I sure hope the Celtics prove me wrong. Cavs have too much talent and as well as we have played the last 35 games or so those games sure haven't all been against the Cavs.