Boston Celtics enter the series with the Cleveland Cavaliers as clear favorites, but the absence of Kristaps Porzingis raises questions.
Judging by the first round, the Boston Celtics should secure a smooth passage to the next round. Even though it’s the playoffs, where anything can happen, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown seem to have gathered enough experience from past failures to handle opponents like the Cavaliers.
On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers boast a solid team led by Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has been a consistent scorer in the playoffs, currently ranking ninth on the all-time scoring list (27.9). Having such a prolific scorer in the team gives them hope.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers – H2H
In their playoff history, they’ve played a total of 46 games, with the Cavaliers leading 24-22 in wins. They’ve met in eight series, with a tied record of 4-4. Their last encounter was in 2018 when the Cavaliers won 4-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Summing up all their matchups, which total 226 in the NBA regular season, the Boston Celtics hold the advantage at 139-87. This season, they’ve faced off three times, with the Celtics leading 2-1.
This season head-to-head
- Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers – 120:113
- Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers – 116:107
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics – 105:104
Boston Celtics Strenghts and Weaknesses
- Strengths: As for the advantages of the Boston Celtics, it’s quite clear. They finished the regular season as the top team with the second-best offensive rating and the fifth-best defensive rating. Their emphasis on team play and three-point shooting, led by Joe Mazzula’s coaching, has been effective. While the Cavaliers have a good defense, they struggle against three-point shooting teams, ranking 18th in the NBA in opponent three-point percentage. This could be where the Celtics exploit their advantage.
- Weaknesses: However, there are also drawbacks. Despite being known for their savvy trades and deep roster in recent years, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis this season altered their rotation dynamics. Although initially successful, Porzingis’s injury created a vulnerability. They seem one injury away from significant problems, given their shorter rotation. It’s a double-edged sword when you have a thinner bench.
Cleveland Cavaliers Strenghts and Weaknesses
- Strengths: This will be a clash between the fifth and seventh best defensive teams from the regular season. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s offensive talent, the biggest weapon for J. B. Bickerstaff’s squad will undoubtedly be their defense. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley form a formidable defensive presence under the basket. Without Porzingis for the entire round, the spotlight will shift to their contributions on offense and the rebounds. However, Al Horford, as an undersized center at 37, despite his quality, might struggle against the “twin towers” of the Cavaliers. In a physical game, the Cleveland Cavaliers could potentially win the battle under the rim.
- Weaknesses: What this team definitely lacks is three-point shooting. Out of the 16 teams that qualified for this year’s playoffs, only the New Orleans Pelicans were worse in terms of three-point shooting percentage, with 26.7%. The Cavaliers were slightly better, but still below average at 28.7%. Although they don’t take a high volume of three-pointers, it will certainly be a missing element in their matchup against the Boston Celtics. Another issue that plagued them in the series against the Orlando Magic was turnovers. Against a defensively sound team like the Boston Celtics, they will need to improve in this area. Joe Mazzulla’s team will capitalize on every mistake for fast-break opportunities. The Cleveland Cavaliers totaled 103 turnovers in the series against the Magic.
X-Factor: Derrick White
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Three things to watch
- Jrue Holiday vs Donovan Mitchell – Jrue Holiday is the type of player every head coach would want on their roster. Despite entering his veteran years and logically experiencing a decline in his offensive production, he remains one of the premier one-on-one defenders in the entire NBA. Donovan Mitchell will undoubtedly be his primary assignment in this series. They have faced each other 15 times in their careers, and Mitchell has posted impressive numbers of 26.7 points on 44% shooting from the field. However, the playoffs are a different story, and Holiday’s championship pedigree could still make a difference.
- Jaylen Brown – While the Cavaliers may lack a standout perimiter defender, they are generally a solid defensive team. All eyes will be on Jayson Tatum, leaving more room for Jaylen Brown. Brown excels in these types of series where the stakes aren’t as high as in Conference Finals or the NBA Finals. In the past, he has often faced criticism for his performances in the playoffs’ later stages. However, the Cavaliers seem like the perfect platform for him. In the first round, he performed admirably, averaging 22.8 points and seven rebounds while shooting an efficient 52% from the field. He appears more composed, doesn’t force shots, and allows the game to come to him. Years of experience in the playoffs have contributed to this. In his career, he averages 20.5 points in 22 regular-season games against the Cavaliers. In 12 playoff games, however, he is slightly less potent, averaging 15.3 points.
- Freshnes – The Boston Celtics are fresher. They played five games in the first round compared to the Cavaliers’ grueling seven games, which were both physically and mentally demanding. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Boston Celtics had the largest point differentials against opponents in the regular season and often had the luxury of resting key players in the closing stages of games. The Cavaliers fought for playoff positions until the last game, making them undoubtedly a more fatigued team compared to the Boston Celtics at this moment.
Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Prediction
Prediction: Boston Celtics in six