ESPN's experts thoughts on the series

[Moranis]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-150416/eastern-conference-playoff-preview

2. Cavs-Celtics will be ...

Arnovitz: An initiation for Boston and a tuneup for Cleveland. Aside from the usual psychoanalysis of the Cavs' collective body language, the most telling gauge of their preparedness will be whether they're D-ing up with any kind of coherence. Can we take a sec to recognize what the Celtics have accomplished with a roster of either young or negligible talent? They'll be out in five, but with nothing to be ashamed of.

Ford: The Cavs clearly have a major talent advantage over the Celtics. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are light years ahead of the best Celtics players of the moment. The Celtics, however, may have the best young basketball coach in the world. Swap David Blatt out for Brad Stevens, and the Cavs are probably the favorites to win it all. Leave Stevens on the Celtics, and Boston will push Cleveland hard. Cavs in six.

Gutierrez: A lesson. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are among the Cavs with no playoff experience. This will be a good starting point for them. They get to experience the raucous TD Garden without the annoyingly good Celtics actually playing in it. Boston's young core will learn a lot as well -- like how to graciously exit the playoffs after losing in five games.

Windhorst: One-sided. Let's be honest, probably five of the top six players in this series play for the Cavs. The concerns about the Cavs' lack of collective playoff experience is rather mitigated by the largely inexperienced Celtics. As a nod to Brad Stevens, let's see a gentleman's sweep.

Youngmisuk: The first hurdle for King James and Co. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love will have to show they can shine in the postseason, and James is going to have to show them the way. So there could be some growing pains for Cleveland this postseason, but not in this round. Brad Stevens has done an amazing job with the Celtics, but the Cavs will move on in five.

[KeepRondo]

I have to disagree with Ford. I don't think Love and Irving are light years better then IT4.

I'll agree they are a step up but IT4 is not far off from being a fringe all star.

[footey]

I have to disagree with Ford. I don't think Love and Irving are light years better then IT4.

I'll agree they are a step up but IT4 is not far off from being a fringe all star.

Ford is the only one saying it will go 6, give him credit.

[celticsclay]

Can the OP fix the thread title to put the word experts in quotes? Otherwise I feel like this is a little misleading.

[konkmv]

4-2 cavs but we will scare them

[slamtheking]

makes me want to see an upset even more.  won't happen but man would that be sweet

[manl_lui]

The Celtics, however, may have the best young basketball coach in the world. Swap David Blatt out for Brad Stevens, and the Cavs are probably the favorites to win it all. Leave Stevens on the Celtics, and Boston will push Cleveland hard. Cavs in six.

Stevens is really making a name for himself

[fairweatherfan]

Just gonna drop this off here...




...still is nice to see lots of compliments in there though.

[celticsclay]

Just gonna drop this off here...




...still is nice to see lots of compliments in there though.

Random fact of the day. Windhorst was still working full-time as a line chef at the Akron Sizzler when these predictions were made.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Just gonna drop this off here...




...still is nice to see lots of compliments in there though.

Don't forget that the "worst division in the NBA" has 3 teams in the playoffs right now, too

[Bankshot]

Can the OP fix the thread title to put the word experts in quotes? Otherwise I feel like this is a little misleading.

Too funny.  The minute I saw this thread I was going to post something similar, but you beat me to it.   Experts?  LOL!

[KeepRondo]

I skipped over what Windhorst wrote initially. I'd like to know which 2 players after the big three he has over IT4, Bradley, and Smart.

[hpantazo]

The Celtics, however, may have the best young basketball coach in the world. Swap David Blatt out for Brad Stevens, and the Cavs are probably the favorites to win it all. Leave Stevens on the Celtics, and Boston will push Cleveland hard. Cavs in six.

Stevens is really making a name for himself

Yeah, I'm getting the sense that he has a legit shot at coach of the year, and his rep will attract free agents this summer

[celticsclay]

I skipped over what Windhorst wrote initially. I'd like to know which 2 players after the big three he has over IT4, Bradley, and Smart.

I think it is probably James Jones and Mike Miller. Let's not forget this guy was in charge of the "Heat Index" for the last 4 years.

[Fafnir]

I skipped over what Windhorst wrote initially. I'd like to know which 2 players after the big three he has over IT4, Bradley, and Smart.

I think it is probably James Jones and Mike Miller. Let's not forget this guy was in charge of the "Heat Index" for the last 4 years.

Probably JR and Mosgov.

The amount of love Mosgov gets is Perkins-esqe.