Game 2 Changes...Thompson starts

[hpantazo]

Knew this was coming. Cleveland trying to defend the paint with TT on Al. Interested to see how CBS responds.

I would start the same group moving Al onto TT and Brown onto Love. Tatum on Smith. Morris on LBJ.

It does take one shooter off the floor for Cleveland but TT seems to play his best vs Boston. Could start Baynes on him but who do you sit?

As for the Cavs..they have some pretty tough match ups now...Love cannot guard Tatum or Brown.

Who started in game 1 in place of Thompson?

Korver

[Tr1boy]

I would start Smart over Rozier

or even start a lineup of

Baynes Horford Morris Brown Tatum

Cavs are going to have Thompson set picks for the PNR, Lebron is going to drive to the paint at will and try to score or if clogged kick the ball out

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't like going against Thompson with a small unit. I say we go big, and play like that. The damage Thompson always causes us with just purely his rebounding is massive.

It was with Baynes on the floor and we could barely contain that aspect. Eleven rebounds, 4 offensive, in just 21 minutes.

[Tr1boy]

I don't like going against Thompson with a small unit. I say we go big, and play like that. The damage Thompson always causes us with just purely his rebounding is massive.

It was with Baynes on the floor and we could barely contain that aspect. Eleven rebounds, 4 offensive, in just 21 minutes.

At least Baynes was able to box him out well

Horford on Thompson  = foul problems the Celts don't need. 

On both ends, he will try to get physical with Horford. 

One or both of Brown and Tatum will need to go off in game 2 in this scenerio

[jpotter33]

I don't like going against Thompson with a small unit. I say we go big, and play like that. The damage Thompson always causes us with just purely his rebounding is massive.

It was with Baynes on the floor and we could barely contain that aspect. Eleven rebounds, 4 offensive, in just 21 minutes.

Who do you have sit? Has to be Morris, right?

Then you'd have to switch Brown over onto Lebron. I think Brown can guard Lebron effectively, but I worry both about (a) him getting into early foul trouble with an assuredly more aggressive Lebron, and (b) Tatum running around on the perimeter losing Smith/Korver around screens for open threes.

Not really a good answer either way here.

[droopdog7]

I posted last week that we should hope Cle doesn't start Thompson because that forces either tatum or brown on lebron.  So I am not shocked by this move and thing it's their best shot.  But there are two sides to this coin.  They also lose a shooter and further clog up the middle for lebron drives. 

As for the celtics, I mean, this move almost forces our hand it seems.  If we start morris, then either Al or Tatum needs to guard Love.  And I don't want it to be Tatum, as foul trouble could become an issue.  Love doesn't prefer to post but he can and will give Tatum problems.  Tatum would give love problems but not necessarily put him in foul trouble.

If we start baynes, then I sacrifice brown on Lebron.

[celticinorlando]

My guess is the line up stays the same for the Cs

Scott Souza
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#Celtics Brad Stevens on a potential #Cavaliers lineup change: Our focus is going to remain first on LeBron James. I am pretty sure he'll be in that lineup.

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/Scott_Souza/status/996077012375756800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Fboston-celtics&tfw_site=bleacherreport

#Celtics Brad Stevens on a potential #Cavaliers lineup change: Our focus is going to remain first on LeBron James. I am pretty sure he'll be in that lineup.

Interesting. I wonder if that means he will prioritize staying small and "switchable" and keep Morris in the lineup.

[droopdog7]

My guess is the line up stays the same for the Cs

Scott Souza
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#Celtics Brad Stevens on a potential #Cavaliers lineup change: Our focus is going to remain first on LeBron James. I am pretty sure he'll be in that lineup.

I mean, part of this is definitely gamesmanship.  How does Brad look if he immediately acquiesces and changes HIS lineup just because the cavs do?

I think brad might want to dictate the terms, not have them dictated to him.

[Tr1boy]

I posted last week that we should hope Cle doesn't start Thompson because that forces either tatum or brown on lebron.  So I am not shocked by this move and thing it's their best shot.  But there are two sides to this coin.  They also lose a shooter and further clog up the middle for lebron drives. 

As for the celtics, I mean, this move almost forces our hand it seems.  If we start morris, then either Al or Tatum needs to guard Love.  And I don't want it to be Tatum, as foul trouble could become an issue.  Love doesn't prefer to post but he can and will give Tatum problems.  Tatum would give love problems but not necessarily put him in foul trouble.

If we start baynes, then I sacrifice brown on Lebron.

nope

Morris is going to be on Lebron, no matter what

Brown will have a tough assignment vs Love. But that was a nice block shot on him last night

on the defensive end, Cavs will face matchup problems on their own

Tatum or Brown will torch Jr Smith. 

[Moranis]

I have no idea why Lue didn't start Thompson in game 1, especially after the C's made it known Morris was starting.  Horford or Tatum has to guard Thompson in the post in that scenario with the other on Love, and that just seems like a bad match-up on that end.  On the other hand, it also means Thompson, Love, and James have to collectively guard Horford, Morris, and Tatum, which is an advantage for the C's on that end (obviously James is still a credible defender, but the other 2 are not).

[celticinorlando]

I am wanting to get Brown on Jr Smith. Smith is as about as useful as a traffic cone playing defense.

[droopdog7]

I posted last week that we should hope Cle doesn't start Thompson because that forces either tatum or brown on lebron.  So I am not shocked by this move and thing it's their best shot.  But there are two sides to this coin.  They also lose a shooter and further clog up the middle for lebron drives. 

As for the celtics, I mean, this move almost forces our hand it seems.  If we start morris, then either Al or Tatum needs to guard Love.  And I don't want it to be Tatum, as foul trouble could become an issue.  Love doesn't prefer to post but he can and will give Tatum problems.  Tatum would give love problems but not necessarily put him in foul trouble.

If we start baynes, then I sacrifice brown on Lebron.

nope

Morris is going to be on Lebron, no matter what

Brown will have a tough assignment vs Love. But that was a nice block shot on him last night

on the defensive end, Cavs will face matchup problems on their own

Tatum or Brown will torch Jr Smith

Seems that way, and I certainly get it (as i just posted above).  But right before that brown block, Jaylen was being rag dolled to the basket.  Not sure if he (or Tatum) can really hold up and sustain that defense.  I suppose we can put one of them on TT but offensive rebounds become crucial.

Anyway, it looks like we should find out soon enough.

[Tr1boy]

I have no idea why Lue didn't start Thompson in game 1, especially after the C's made it known Morris was starting.  Horford or Tatum has to guard Thompson in the post in that scenario with the other on Love, and that just seems like a bad match-up on that end.  On the other hand, it also means Thompson, Love, and James have to collectively guard Horford, Morris, and Tatum, which is an advantage for the C's on that end (obviously James is still a credible defender, but the other 2 are not).

bc Thompson provides little on the offensive end

tomorrow all he is going to do is set picks for the PNR.   Which then becomes a 4 man game (Lebron, Thompson,  Morris, Horford)

The more I think about this, the more i'm ok with it. 

If Lebron goes off...whatever. Just guard the rest well/prevent the 3s

and torch them on the offensive end

[Vermont Green]

I agree with what Stevens is suggesting to keep the focus on LeBron (meaning I think that Morris starts and stays on LeBron).  What I don't get is why so many people are suggesting that Brown take Love and not Tatum.  Don't most think that Tatum should be our starting PF next season?  I am not one of those but for this game/series, I just put Tatum on Love.  If they do pick and role with LeBron-Love, then just switch.  If they try to post up Love, fine, their offense will be out of sync as Love likes to stand in the corner, not post up.