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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 16:29:04 GMT -5
What to watch for when the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliersby Michael James
The Boston Celtics just keep winning at home. After another nice win against the Heat Monday, they will host the league-worst Cavaliers.I’d say this is a trap game, given the Celtics just disposed of the Heat and will play Golden State on Saturday, but the Cleveland Cavaliers might be too bad for the Celtics to drop this one. This game should be over before halftime, but let’s take a look at what you should watch for going into this game.
Consistency of Jayson Tatum
One of the more positive developments for the Celtics ever since Kyrie Irving went supernova has been Jayson Tatum’s consistency. Brad Stevens lauds the second-year standout’s ability to give steady production often, and January has been no different.
The new year has brought out Tatum’s best scoring month this season. He’s averaging 16.8 points, scoring over 15 points in nine of the Celtics’ 11 games this month. Irving has been special, but Tatum has barely wavered all year. Last season he exceeded everyone’s expectations, but this year he’s been better, and it’s time to recognize that.
Reserves with increased opportunity
A game like this should see plenty of minutes for the reserves, especially those that don’t play very often. However, it can also be looked at as an opportunity to regain confidence before Saturday’s Warriors clash.
Yep, I’m looking at you, Terry Rozier. Rozier hasn’t bee very good this season, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. The team has been outspoken about their desire, or lack there of, to make a trade at the deadline. Rozier would be the first player that comes to mind when talking about trades, so hopefully he can use this game as a stepping stone to better play in the second half of the regular season schedule.
Limiting turnovers
The Celtics are usually a team you can depend on to not give the ball away. They currently sit fourth best in the NBA with 13.4 turnovers per game. But on this four-game winning streak, great shooting numbers have hidden the turnover problem that has reared its head.
Over the last four games, the Celtics are averaging 16.3 turnovers, which would place them 29th in the NBA. Against a team like the Cavaliers, getting careless with the ball and giving them extra possessions is a great way to let them think they have a chance of winning. Boston needs to control the ball and be smart with it. You won’t be able to get away with high turnover numbers against the Warriors.
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 16:32:59 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 17:43:38 GMT -5
Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Game #48The Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers as they look for their 5th straight win.
By flceltsfan
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2nd of 4 meetings this season. The Celtics won the first matchup 128-95 on November 30 in Boston. They will meet two more times on February 5 and again on March 26 with both games taking place in Cleveland. The Celtics remain in 5th place in the East, 5.5 games behind first place Milwaukee, who are just percentage points ahead of the Toronto Raptors, and 1.5 games behind 4th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 7-3 in their last 10 games and 18-5 at home. They have won their last 4 games. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in last place in not just the East, but the entire league. They are 4-21 on the road. They are 1-9 in their last 10 games and have lost their last 4 games. The Celtics have won 9 straight at home, going back to December 23 against the Charlotte Hornets. The Cavs are shorthanded with 6 players on the injured list. John Henson (wrist), Kevin Love (foot), Larry Nance, Jr. (knee), David Nwaba (ankle) and Tristan Thompson (foot) are all listed as out. JR Smith is such a head case he’s not even with the team. The Celtics have just Jabari Bird (personal), Al Horford (rest), and Kyrie Irving (flu-like symptoms) out. I’m going to assume that Brad Stevens will simply replace Al Horford in the starting lineup with Aron Baynes, who should match up very well with Ante Zizic, who is starting for the Cavs with Thompson out. He may surprise me and go with a small ball starting lineup but I don’t think so. Terry Rozier will likely start in Kyrie’s place.
Probable Celtics Starters
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Marcus Smart
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Aron Baynes
Celtics Reserves
Daniel Theis
Guerschon Yabusele
Semi Ojeleye
Gordon Hayward
Brad Wanamaker
Robert Williams
Jaylen Brown
Injuries
Jabari Bird (personal) out
Al Horford (rest) out
Kyrie Irving (flu like symptoms) out
Two Way Players
P. J. Dozier
RJ Hunter
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Probable Cavs Starters
PG: Collin Sexton
SG: Alec Burks
SF: Rodney Hood
PF: Cedi Osman
C: Ante Zizic
Cavaliers Reserves
Jordan Clarkson
Matthew Dellavadova
Channing Frye
Cameron Payne
Injuries
John Henson (wrist) out
Kevin Love (foot) out
Larry Nance, Jr. (knee) out
David Nwaba (ankle) out
Tristan Thompson (foot) out
JR Smith (head case) Not with team
Two Way Players
Deng Adel
Jaron Blossomgame
Head Coach
Larry Drew
Key Matchups
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Terry Rozier
vs
Collin Sexton
Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
One of the key parts of the trade that brought Kyrie from the Cavs to the Celtics was the Nets draft pick. That pick became Collin Sexton. Sexton is averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. With Kyrie getting the night off, this will be a good chance for Terry Rozier to get his game back on track.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Jayson Tatum
vs
Rodney Hood
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Jayson Tatum will find Rodney Hood a much easier cover than the Cavs former small forward. Hood is averaging 12.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Tatum has been fairly consistent lately and hopefully we will see more of the same in this game.
Celtics Bench vs Cavaliers Bench
The Cavaliers reserves have been averaging 44.0 points per game, which is 5th in the league. They may not be winning, but their bench has been solid. The Celtics bench, on the other hand, has been struggling. They have given up leads in the past two games causing Brad Stevens to rush the starters back to win the games. It would be nice to see the Celtics reserves get on track and build some momentum going into their game against the Warriors on Saturday.
Keys to the Game
Defense As always - defense is the key to every single game. The Celtics’ defense has been up and down but they MUST communicate and they have to play tough lock down defense both in the paint and on the perimeter if they want to win this game. They can’t let up and figure they can win just with their offense. Defense is the key!!!!!
Rebound - Rebounding is second to defense in importance for the Celtics to get a win. Much of rebounding is effort and so the Celtics have to work hard to beat the Cavs to rebounds. When the Celtics put out the extra effort needed to win the rebounding battle, that usually translates to the rest of the game. They will need to work harder on the boards to get the win.
Move the Ball Carefully - The Celtics get into trouble when they take quick shots and don’t move the ball enough to get the defense out of position. Their assists are usually down in their losses and up in their wins. The Celtics have to move the ball and find the open man. Hero ball doesn’t win games. But, they have to be careful with their passes. They are averaging just 13.4 turnovers (4th best) but over their last 4 games they are averaging 16.3 turnovers. They have to take care of the ball and at the same time keep it moving.
Start Strong and Don’t Let Up - The Celtics seem to always play down to their competition. They trailed the lowly Hawks by 16 before finally rallying to get the win. They allowed the Heat to cut a 22 point lead to just 5 before getting the win. Allowing the sub .500 teams to hang around will sometimes come back to bite them. They need to start out strong and play hard right up until the final buzzer.
X-Factors
Home Court - The Celtics are playing in the second of a 5 game home stand. They have played well at home with 18 wins to just 5 losses. I would say that the Cavs play worse on the road, but they are just as bad at home. The Celtics need to continue to draw motivation and energy from the home crowd and protect their home court.
Trap Game - This shouldn’t be a trap game with as bad as the Cavaliers are and as short handed as they are, but the Celtics have a way of underestimating teams, even teams as bad as the Cavs. Even with Al and Kyrie out, the Celtics should be able to easily put the Cavs away. The Celtics will hopefully take the Cavs seriously and will dominate this game. However, never underestimate the opponent’s desire to beat the Celtics, even if they are tanking, or the Celtics ability to play down to a weaker opponent.
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Post by kivancb on Jan 23, 2019 17:46:26 GMT -5
I would say CORRECT DECISIONS. When you are a contender you should be able to handle with the friggin cavs (yeah, without CAPS) without your star and your old center. |
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Post by cole on Jan 23, 2019 18:29:22 GMT -5
I think the cavs are to the point where they're almost ready to shoot at their own basket in the race for zion.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2019 18:54:47 GMT -5
I think the cavs are to the point where they're almost ready to shoot at their own basket in the race for zion. Ha Ha. They probably would miss. |
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Post by cole on Jan 23, 2019 20:10:13 GMT -5
Another bad start
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:22:47 GMT -5
Taking "control" now ...
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:25:46 GMT -5
Some 1st half highlights:
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:27:17 GMT -5
Rozier with 16 pts in Q1 ... his highest production for a qtr as a Celtic
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:28:44 GMT -5
Wannamaker a three ...
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:32:50 GMT -5
Wannamaker to Tatum for the slammer!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2019 20:33:48 GMT -5
Zizic showing some offense . Always thought he was a wasted pick by us
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:34:08 GMT -5
Terry fiddles & diddles and eventually gets the three!
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:37:10 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 20:39:51 GMT -5
One of those high % three pointer nights so far ...
Terry follows up his last three with another at the buzzer to end the half!
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Post by puddin on Jan 23, 2019 20:45:15 GMT -5
Zizic showing some offense . Always thought he was a wasted pick by us 6 PPG and 4 RPG.... so far this season.
Tonight a different story.
Pud
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:06:48 GMT -5
Morris muscles his way to the rim ...
Zizic throws it away and Tatum finishes it ...
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:09:20 GMT -5
Smart dishing out dimes and Morris takes it strong to the rim!
RWill getting some court time ...
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:11:43 GMT -5
Brown 14pts in 14 minutes tonight ...
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:15:01 GMT -5
Rozier's the man tonight with 24pts ... Brown with 14, Tatum 12 & Morris 11
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:17:55 GMT -5
Tatum attacks the rim with the left hand for his 15th pt and a 19pt Celtics lead that was just 12 a few minutes ago.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2019 21:28:06 GMT -5
Game is over. Could we see Williams for 5 minutes? Come on Brad,
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:32:57 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Jan 23, 2019 21:42:21 GMT -5
Gordon gets his 18th point ... Refs checking RWill's block for goaltending but it wasn't and still send the Cav to the FT line ...  That's game ... 125-103 Celtics Rozier 26 Brown 23 Hayward 18 Tatum 17 |
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