If we win the first two games, the Cavs will fold.

[TitleMaster]

Many years ago, I'd brought up this topic ...

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=77620.0

Back then, we were sweeped so it didn't matter.

But today, we have that chance of going to Cleveland 2-0. If that occurs, I believe we win the ECF, even if it takes 6 games, but it'll happen.

[CelticsElite]

Absolutely. Lebron already looks gassed out around 3rd quarter. We're fighting their old team with youth defense and speed. A few of their team are mental midgets (hood, hill) or inexperienced (Nance). These guys don't get it and are going to cave hard


I can't wait to see lebron quit and then throw his jersey in the hallway to the locker

[Fafnir]

I disagree, I think they'll approach the games in Cleveland thinking they can win both at home and reset the series.

I do think that Clevelands morale is iffy though, we already saw it falter against the Pacers. If LBJ gets discouraged/struggles they don't have the coach or leadership elsewhere to salvage the game.

[bopna]

Nope.

2-0 only means you did your job at home. No team folds after being down 2 except the Raptors because it was homecourt that theyd lost. Lebron will come back at us at home if thats what it takes but if we somehow steal gm 3 like in the Philly series then LeWhine will call commissioner Silver and tell him to do something.

[Celtics4ever]

I think we have to win the first two games to even have a chance and they are must win games.

[konkmv]

always only the next game matters

[Surferdad]

I think we have to win the first two games to even have a chance and they are must win games.

This.  If Cavs earn a split, they are back in the driver's seat.  Even if they don't, but win the next 2 at home, then Game 5 in Boston is a must-win for them leading to winning the series in 6.  The Celtics win Game 5, then they could close out the series with a Game 7 in Boston.  However, this is all predicated on winning the first 2 games.

[celticinorlando]

The sentiment out there is the Cavs lost because they missed wide open shots and 3s. Many still think it was them on not the Celtics.

Boston is going to have to back it up again to create doubt not only in the Cavs but everywhere else. Most people will expect Cleveland to win game two and that game one was Boston overachieving something that they cannot sustain.

Game 2 is the swing game. Win it and you are up 2-0 and I think they get one in Cleveland. But it is a big game for Boston.

[greece66]

The sentiment out there is the Cavs lost because they missed wide open shots and 3s. Many still think it was them on not the Celtics.

Boston is going to have to back it up again to create doubt not only in the Cavs but everywhere else. Most people will expect Cleveland to win game two and that game one was Boston overachieving something that they cannot sustain.

Game 2 is the swing game. Win it and you are up 2-0 and I think they get one in Cleveland. But it is a big game for Boston.

I saw that too but this is bogus. Our perimeter D has been elite this whole season. They need to find a better excuse 

[KGBirdBias]

It would only be fitting to win game 6 on their court where it all went wrong for us to start the season.

Celtics win game 2
Cavs win game 3
Celtics win game 4
Cavs win game 5
Celtics win game 6

I don't think they have playoff tested players, but I do think they will shoot much much better next game.

[Granath]

This thread is absurd and the OP should lose TPs for it.

The Cavs won't fold simply because Lebron doesn't fold. They went down 0-3 against GS last year, won game 4 and played hard in game 5 ('Bron had 41 in that loss). They didn't fold down 3-1 the year before. In fact, Lebron has only been swept out one time - the 2007 NBA Finals and even then the last game was a 1 point win for San Antonio. Simply put, Lebron teams aren't invincible in the playoffs but he'll play hard even if down. Cleveland is a team that believes it can win no matter how far down they are because they proved that against the Warriors.

If the Cs win this it will be because they outfought the Cavs, not because Cleveland gave up. In other words, the Cs will need to win it rather than the Cavs losing it.

[celticinorlando]

Cavs IMO will go back to Thompson starting in game 2. Lue does it when he is facing a must win game.

That puts Brown on LBJ and Love to the 4...which is not a bad thing. Boston would need Baynes to play Thompson to a draw. Thompson seems to kill boston even when he has no pulse vs other teams...

Cavs would lose 3 point shooting and if you handle Smith you are better there...but I think the Cavs want to drag this into the mud, slow it down and play that style of basketball.

[Phantom255x]

I honestly think this is where having THREE DAYS OFF between Games 2 and 3 hurts us.

Even if (big if) we hypothetically go up 2-0 in the series, that's three and a half days of more rest for Lebron and the Cavaliers, who now go home feeling energized again to try and take care of business (protect THEIR home court).

Our guys will get rest too, but if we go up 2-0, it will be primarily because we have momentum and have a formula that's working. Something CLE probably can't solve if there's a game every other day (not much time to practice executing it on the court as well).

However, they can make adjustments and such in that time, maybe even on the defensive end.

[celticinorlando]

It is almost like Game three is actually another game 1 with the time off in between. If Boston approaches it like that then great.

It was nice that Horford and Brown got the entire 4th quarter off yesterday

[Drucci]

We won the first two games, let’s see if they fold now!

I remember reading on Cavs boards that Cleveland always plays poorly after long
days off. Game 3 is saturday.