Cavaliers pose match up problems for Celtics Celtics win, but winter is coming. By Alex Kungu
LeBron James has no intention of losing to kids and the once left for dead Cavaliers are suddenly playing their best basketball of the year. But this series, like every series in the playoffs, will come down to matchups. Though the Celtics made quick work of the Sixers, the last two games of the series exposed a potential area where the Cavaliers could look to exploit Boston.
The Problem
When it comes to the Cavaliers offense, there’s a misconception that it’s all about LeBron James just dribbling the air out of the ball and trying to make a play. It’s not entirely false; the team is built to maximize LeBron James, but the way in which they do it is to diabolically target mismatches in a way that is only rivaled by the Rockets. Here’s an example:
The Toronto Raptors decided to play big against the Cavaliers small lineups. In return, the Cavaliers use Love similar to how you would imagine a wing player. He comes down off a screen from the top of the key from George Hill (something we’ll get to later), and it throws Jonas Valanciunas off guard who is not used to defending guys on the perimeter in that way. The play is even more difficult because if you’re a team that “auto switches,” you can find yourself in the unflattering business of having a member of your back court trying to guard Love in the post.
So, back to the screener, the Cavaliers are great at using their backcourt guys to screen for their stars. The last two plays were from George Hill, but something the Cavaliers use frequently is a James-Korver pick that is equally as deadly.
The defense is in a compromising position here. Hard trap or double gives Korver an open look, try to ICE and James puts his head down and probably still get what he wants, so that’s how you end up doing what the Raptors did with consistent switches that put CJ Miles as the only thing standing behind LeBron James and the basket.
The Celtics do have some similarities to the Raptors in the way they switch, and through the first two rounds have been able to do it a lot without facing too many mismatch issues. Against the Cavaliers, switching should not be the default, especially unforced switches like this:
So what should we do?
Everything the Cavaliers do offensively is meant to create mismatches and overreactions. In the last series, the Cavaliers played super small, going with George Hill, Kyle Korver, JR Smith, LeBron James, and Kevin Love. Hill and Korver are the primary screeners, James and Love carry the offense, and Smith is a microwave shooter that has a reputation that you have to respect. One potential way the Celtics could attack them defensively is to use the Cavaliers strength of trying to exploit mismatches by putting Aron Baynes on JR Smith. Smith isn’t someone they want creating offense or running the offense through, neither is he someone who’s always going to make the right play if it doesn’t involve a quick catch and shoot.
The Raptors had the right idea of attempting to play big and not getting caught up in playing CLE smal -ball. Boston could take it a step further by baiting CLE into matchups using their bigs and force the Cavaliers into trying to attack low-quality mismatches. If done right, they could push the Cavaliers to go to some of their bigger lineups which packs the paint and takes shooters off the floor.
Analyst thinks Cs are doomed, but Brad Stevens has a plan By Justin Quinn
Brian Babineau/NBAE
The one thing everyone agrees on is that getting past the Cleveland Cavaliers won't be easy.
But the Boston Celtics will have to do exactly that to get to the NBA Finals, and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith doesn't think the Celts can win a team [game] with LeBron James playing so well.
He might be right - if only because his co-conspirators are finally starting to play with some purpose.
Kevin Love has been looking dynamic after months of playing hurt and looking lost.
JR Smith and Kyle Korver are having solid nights. Even long-hibernating Tristan Thompson has been playing well, meaning Boston likely has its work cut out for them.
Of course, coach Brad Stevens has a plan. Or maybe he's working on it right now. All we know so far is...well, watch the videos below, and decide for yourself whether Brad has some truly simple, zen-like advice for his players, or if the real plan is under wraps until tip-off. And, of course, you can roll your eyes at Smith, though for once he's being comparatively reasonable.
I don't think going big or small is an issue. The Celts can play big and they can play small.
If Brad wants to go small then put Horford at C and have Smart, Rozier, Brown, and Tatum on the court at the same time. Going small is one of the Celts strengths this season.
The only real problem the Celts are facing is the Cavs have Lebron. He's superhuman.
My strategy would be to exploit the weakness of the Cavs on the defensive end. The Cavs were one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season. Putting Tatum, Brown, and Smart in the low post against Korver and JR Smith will force the Cavs to overreact. That will open up the Cavs defense.
If the Celts go big then there's no one on the Cavs roster that can guard Monroe.
As a team, the Bucks and Sixers are better than the Cavs. The only difference is the Cavs have Lebron.
I don't think going big or small is an issue. The Celts can play big and they can play small.
If Brad wants to go small then put Horford at C and have Smart, Rozier, Brown, and Tatum on the court at the same time. Going small is one of the Celts strengths this season.
The only real problem the Celts are facing is the Cavs have Lebron. He's superhuman.
My strategy would be to exploit the weakness of the Cavs on the defensive end. The Cavs were one of the worst defensive teams in the league this season. Putting Tatum, Brown, and Smart in the low post against Korver and JR Smith will force the Cavs to overreact. That will open up the Cavs defense.
If the Celts go big then there's no one on the Cavs roster that can guard Monroe.
As a team, the Bucks and Sixers are better than the Cavs. The only difference is the Cavs have Lebron.
there is nothing superhuman about LeQueen...he is a linebacker playing basketball...so fricking lame...
Post by elvissurfs on May 12, 2018 14:36:52 GMT -5
We will see how you feel after he drops his shoulder and drives the lane without ever getting a charging call on him all game long...and we get in massive foul trouble...
Last Edit: May 12, 2018 14:38:09 GMT -5 by elvissurfs
We will see how you feel after he drops his shoulder and drives the lane without ever getting a charging call on him all game long...and we get in massive foul trouble...
LBJ is definitely a load.
Check at the 2:30 mark to see what Marcus Smart can do defending Mr. James.
We will see how you feel after he drops his shoulder and drives the lane without ever getting a charging call on him all game long...and we get in massive foul trouble...
I can't stand LeQueen. But I have to acknowledge that the guy brings a unique combination of physicality, ball handling, passing, defense and scoring to the game.
I expect him to try to be a load on offense (and hence shutting down the person defending him) while also checking our best scoring threat (perhaps Tatum) of defense. It will be interesting to see how he has in the tank and how long he can do that.
The Celts will have to attack the Cavs at the defensive end and burn out leBron.
Regarding the bully ball and charging, get ready for very few calls there. As was shown in the Philly game, the refs are going to allow a lot of physicality. So we have to look forward to JB posting up Korver and Horford going at it with Love.
I've said this before, double team him and make the others beat us!! Don't leave him, don't let him dribble, as soon as he touches the ball be all over him! This is our only chance!! Because he will beat us, if we play him straight up!!
If Rozier shows up he can tip this in our favor. We need Rozy to be the guy from the Bucks series and we need morris to just not be horrible.
Maybe the smart statement the beginning of a psychological battle that marcus is ready for. If we can get him focused on smart (much like he gets sidetracked with stephenson) then he can overplay in frustration. I say this too much, but remember ML Carr trying to pick a fight with Magic? Sure, why not sacrifice a rook for the KING