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Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: How gritty Celtics can win the East

By Dylan Woods

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Don’t let anyone else get hot

Against the Sixers, the Celtics were excellent at limiting certain role players and making others beat them.  JJ Redick shot just 34 percent from three. Robert Covington averaged 7 points a game on 27 percent shooting. Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova combined for just 17 points a game, 9 less than the first round series against Miami.

TJ McConnell was forced to win a game for the Sixers. Dario Saric was forced to take 13 shots a game, one more than Ben Simmons.

Now, the main guys that need to be limited are Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, and Tristan Thompson. Love could be anywhere from 30-15 a night or 5-5 and nobody would be surprised. If I’m the Celtics, I’d play love like he’s a superstar. He can’t be allowed open 3’s, especially in the first quarter. Al Horford needs to close out lightning fast when Love gets the ball on perimeter. He can’t help on LeBron too much if it means wide open threes for Love. On the offensive end, Al needs to pound K-Love on the block. He cannot struggle to get 5-7 easy looks a game.

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Korver needs to get the JJ Redick treatment. Whether it’s Rozier or Brown guarding, he cannot get two open looks in a row. Luckily, the Celtics just played Redick and have gone against Korver in the playoffs twice before. But if he’s averaging 13-17 points a game, that’s a problem. The Celtics need to get whatever amount of points Korver has back on the offensive end. It should be whoever offense on Korver, post ups, isos, pick and rolls, whatever it takes to get Jaylen or Jayson blowing by Kyle Korver.

Finally, with Tristan Thompson, the C’s could get lucky. Thompson has been a complete liability at times this season. He couldn’t play defense, score, or even rebound. However, he had a great series against Toronto. If the Cavs go big with Love and Thompson, Aron Baynes needs to hold his own again. Boxing out and bringing at least something to the table on switches vs LeBron could turn the series. If Thompson is playable AND he’s creating mismatches for LeBron on offense, it’s over.

I have faith that the Celtics can get this done, too. Against Philly, I didn’t see how they could stop Embiid in the post, Simmons in transition, and Redick shooting threes all at the same time. There were too many options. Well, it turns out a team with so much defensive chemistry and communication, a great coach, and smart players can stop almost everything.

Is LeBron the exception? Possibly. It won’t be easy, but I’m not doubting a team that just wiped out the favorite to come out of the East in 5 games. They are ready for the challenge.

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