Game 2 Changes...Thompson starts

[celticinorlando]

Korver off the court is fine with me. He is the guy that seems to make timely buckets. I am going right at Cleveland on offense...I am letting Al set the high screen...pick and pop to pull TT away from the hoop.

[Tr1boy]

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.

You know Tatum is thin right?

Brown is stronger

Tatum can't guard PFs at this moment....unless it is someone like Ibaka who hardly make an impact close to the basket

[liam]

The Problem remains for The Cavs in who do you hide Love on.  The Cavs don't have enough defenders and How does Thompson help the Cavs generate more offense. Cavs lose spacing with Thompson and Thompson can't switch onto Jaylen, Morris, or Tatum. Tatum shot a three right in Thompson's grill in game one. If your big move is to start Thompson, I think you are in trouble.

[blink]

Well this is the change that most of us were expecting from Cleveland.  TT gives us fits with his ability to get off rebounds and tip rebound and extend possessions.   

I honestly don't know if we bring Baynes in to counter or not.  I like leaving Morris on Lebron and keep Brown, Tatum, Horford, Smart as change of pace defenders against him.  The Cavs def played their best in game one when TT was on the floor. 

I know it goes against the grain a bit, but would we ever consider starting Baynes, and bring Tatum off the bench?  Tatum will have a tough time defending Love or TT.  Maybe keeping the matchups we did well in game 1 is the best idea.

Morris guards Lebron most of the time
Baynes guards TT most of the time
Horford guards Love most of the time.

IE Baynes starts.

[blink]

The Problem remains for The Cavs in who do you hide Love on.  The Cavs don't have enough defenders and How does Thompson help the Cavs generate more offense. Cavs lose spacing with Thompson and Thompson can't switch onto Jaylen, Morris, or Tatum. Tatum shot a three right in Thompson's grill in game one. If your big move is to start Thompson, I think you are in trouble.

It feels like the main issue that the Cavs are trying to address with starting TT is to do something to stop all the points in the paint, dribble drives to the rim.  With Love at center they only have a sagging Lebron as any kind of rim protection / help.  I don't think the Cavs are worried about scoring, they are worried about their def getting completely exposed again.

I just don't know if having Tatum guard Love or TT is a good move.  I would worry about Tatum getting into foul trouble right away.

Sometimes these playoff adjustments are difficult decisions.  Gotta be ready to adjust on the fly in the game if things aren't working.  That is what was funny about game 1.  Why didn't Lue realize how badly we were killing them in the paint, and then start TT in the 2nd half or at least play him a lot more.  He got 20 min.  Maybe that is all he can handle?

[celticinorlando]

TT only real value is extending possessions for the Cavs by hustle plays. Boston has to win this stat line or it will be a long night. Cannot give LBJ 2 or 3 possessions and having to defend for upwards of 2 minutes each time down.

[mspring]

Well this is the change that most of us were expecting from Cleveland.  TT gives us fits with his ability to get off rebounds and tip rebound and extend possessions.   

I honestly don't know if we bring Baynes in to counter or not.  I like leaving Morris on Lebron and keep Brown, Tatum, Horford, Smart as change of pace defenders against him.  The Cavs def played their best in game one when TT was on the floor. 

I know it goes against the grain a bit, but would we ever consider starting Baynes, and bring Tatum off the bench?  Tatum will have a tough time defending Love or TT.  Maybe keeping the matchups we did well in game 1 is the best idea.

Morris guards Lebron most of the time
Baynes guards TT most of the time
Horford guards Love most of the time.

IE Baynes starts.

I was thinking the same exact thing.  I like keeping Morris on Lebron, we put Baynes on Thompson to keep him off the boards and he is able to pull Thompson out of the lane defensively by being a 3-point threat, the way he was with Joel Embid and we keep the matchup of Horford on Love. 

So far in the playoffs for various reasons Brown has come off the bench, Baynes has come off the bench...they have proven they are all willing to do what is best for the team and this is what's best for the team in my opinion.  Will be interesting to see what Brad does!

[Chris22]

Let them start Thompson and have the crowd chant, Khloe, Khloe, Khloe.......every time he touches the ball.

[KGBirdBias]

Uh, the Celtics won game #1 convincingly. There is no need for Stevens to adjust yet...let Lue makes adjustments.  Is TT going to be the TJ McConnell move...maybe but this just means the Celtics can defend 5 on 4.

Making a move like this after game #1 tells me Lue doesn't have another move after this and he already knows this is a huge game. Stevens isn't changing for TT...he will if Bron goes berserk.

[blink]

Uh, the Celtics won game #1 convincingly. There is no need for Stevens to adjust yet...let Lue makes adjustments.  Is TT going to be the TJ McConnell move...maybe but this just means the Celtics can defend 5 on 4.

Making a move like this after game #1 tells me Lue doesn't have another move after this and he already knows this is a huge game. Stevens isn't changing for TT...he will if Bron goes berserk.

Well if Baynes started, he is just following TT into the starting lineup.  I don't see this as really adjusting.  We are sticking to our plan of who is best suited to guard each player.

[KGBirdBias]

Uh, the Celtics won game #1 convincingly. There is no need for Stevens to adjust yet...let Lue makes adjustments.  Is TT going to be the TJ McConnell move...maybe but this just means the Celtics can defend 5 on 4.

Making a move like this after game #1 tells me Lue doesn't have another move after this and he already knows this is a huge game. Stevens isn't changing for TT...he will if Bron goes berserk.

Well if Baynes started, he is just following TT into the starting lineup.  I don't see this as really adjusting.  We are sticking to our plan of who is best suited to guard each player.

Yes, but that's what Lue wants the Celtics to do is go back to Baynes. I'm saying don't do it...TT isn't Embiid. Who do you take out to put Baynes in??? The guys just have to collectively rebound better.

[slamtheking]

primary concern I have is keeping TT off the offensive glass.  Morris isn't exactly a great rebounder.  TT killed us on the boards last year when we had a much softer frontline.  Baynes did well against TT in game one.

[knuckleballer]

Why announce this a day in advance?  Hopefully, he'll announce his offensive and defensive game plans too.

[KGBirdBias]

The same advantage the Cavs think they have with TT on the offensive boards is the same advantage the Celtics have with Horford spreading the floor against Horford. I don't sacrfice Morris defending Bron to start Baynes

[The One]

Uh, the Celtics won game #1 convincingly. There is no need for Stevens to adjust yet...let Lue makes adjustments.  Is TT going to be the TJ McConnell move...maybe but this just means the Celtics can defend 5 on 4.

Making a move like this after game #1 tells me Lue doesn't have another move after this and he already knows this is a huge game. Stevens isn't changing for TT...he will if Bron goes berserk.

Cosigning this...don't change for TT...and keep hunting.

Celtics defense is still better.