May 15, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the third quarter in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

PRIZES:

Top 5 Winners:

1.Rafael Lopez (350 points)

2. Thomas Solimini (350 points)

3. A00303188 (350 points)

4. Eponthier (350 points)

5. Jon Lee (329 points)

Overview:

On Wednesday, May 23^rd, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the road to take on the Boston Celtics in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The series is tied (2-2).

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Celtics 105.3 – Celtics 103.5 with an over/under of 208.9.

Statistical Breakdown (2017-18 season):

Point differential: Celtics +3.7 (6^th) > Cavaliers +1.0 (14^th)

Points per game: Cavaliers 110.9 (5^th) > Celtics 103.9 (20^th)

Points allowed per game: Celtics 100.2 (3^rd) > Cavaliers 109.9 (26^th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Cavaliers 47.6% (5^th) > Celtics 45.0% (21^st)

Three Point Percentage: Celtics 37.8% (2^nd) > Cavaliers 37.2% (6^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Celtics 43.9% (2^nd) > Cavaliers 47.4% (28^th)

Turnovers committed per game: Celtics 13.3 (12^th) = Cavaliers 13.3 (12^th)

Turnovers forced per game: Celtics 13.4 (21^st) > Cavaliers 12.9 (27^th)

Rebounds per game: Celtics 44.5 (7^th) > Cavaliers 42.1 (23^rd)

Assists per game: Cavaliers 23.4 (11^th) > Celtics 22.5 (20^th)

Summary:

Cleveland has now evened the series (2-2) after their 111-102 victory in game four.  The Cavaliers shot 50% from the field and destroyed the Celtics 60-45 on the glass.  The Cavaliers were far from their best, racking up only 15 assists and overcoming 19 turnovers in the victory.  Lebron James was tremendous scoring 44 points on 17-28 shooting.  Kevin Love battled foul trouble all night and shot 3-12 scoring 9 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  George Hill was assertive scoring 13 points and Tristan Thompson added a double-double (13 points and 12 rebounds).  Kyle Korver was a huge sparkplug off the bench scoring 14 points and even blocking 3 shots.  Cleveland seemingly has figured out how to better defend the Celtics holding them to an average of 94 points the last two games.  This postseason, the Cavaliers are averaging 102.8 points per game (10^th) and allowing 101.7 (2^nd).

The Celtics have to be disappointed that the series is tied (2-2) after winning the first two games in Boston.  The Celtics were held to just 41% shooting and scored only 38 points in the paint.  Jalen Brown led the Celtics in scoring with 25 points but he shot just 10-23 from the field.  All five starters for the Celtics scored in double digits but the Boston bench managed just 19 points.  The Cavaliers were able to exploit Terry Rozier on defense attacking him off switches all night.  Tristan Thompson has really neutralized Al Horford who was killing the Cavaliers early in the series.  The Celtics are a completely different team at home where they are a perfect (9-0) this postseason.  In the playoffs, the Celtics are averaging 103.3 points per game (9^th) and allowing 102.1 (3^rd).

Bottom Line:

Cleveland cannot afford to turn the ball over 19 times again if they want to win game five in Boston.  I expect Kevin Love to play much better and not be in foul trouble the entire game.  Lebron James will likely put up his usual gaudy stat line but the question with these Cavaliers is always: “How much help will he receive from his supporting cast?”  The Celtics shot the call terribly in Cleveland but we know they tend to play like a completely different team on their home floor.  I anticipate Boston coming out with a sense of desperation playing extremely physically and gutting out a narrow victory in game five.

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