Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

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Overview:

On Sunday, May 13^th, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the road to take on the Boston Celtics in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Cavaliers 106.2 – Celtics 103.1 with an over/under of 213.8.

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:

After a grueling seven game series against the Indiana Pacers, The Cleveland Cavaliers easily dispatched of the Toronto Raptors in four games.  Lebron James is having the finest postseason of his 15-year career averaging 34.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 9.0 APG.  Kevin Love, who played much better against Toronto, is averaging a double-double with 14.7 PPG and 10.1 RPG.  The spacing of J.R. Smith (10.0 PPG), Kyle Korver (10.5 PPG), George Hill (9.8 PPG) created match-up nightmares for Toronto as Lebron drove to the basket at will.  Cleveland needs to get more production from their bench as Jordan Clarkson (4.6 PPG) and Rodney Hood (4.6 PPG) have disappointed in the playoffs. This postseason, the Cavaliers are averaging 103.5 points per game (9^th) and allowing 102.0 (3^rd).

Brad Stevens worked his magic again as the Celtics defeated a young and talented Philadelphia 76ers team in five games.  Despite being without All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, the Celtics keep proving the doubters wrong.  Jayson Tatum (18.8 PPG) and Jaylen Brown (16.9 PPG) are rising stars mature beyond their years.  The biggest surprise has been Terry Rozier (18.2 PPG and 5.8 APG) who has filled in for the injured Irving and barely missed a beat.  Al Horford (17.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG) is the model of consistency and one of the best passing big men in the league (3.3 APG). Marcus Morris (12.3 PPG) and Marcus Smart (10.6 PPG and 4.4 APG) are tough nosed gritty defenders.  The Celtics have six players who average double figures but without Irving and Hayward their depth is severely lacking.  In the playoffs, the Celtics are averaging 104.1 points per game (4^th) and allowing 102.5 (6^th).

Bottom Line:

The Cavaliers are (2-1) against the Celtics this season and defeated them 121-99 in Boston right after blowing up their roster at the trade deadline.  Lebron James’ teams have one at least one road postseason game in 31 of his last 32 playoff series.  We know Lebron will be great but the role players for the Cavaliers stepped up in a major way against Toronto.  Boston has as bright a future as any team in the NBA but injuries and inexperience will make it tough against a battle tested cavaliers team.  With five days off Cleveland will be well rested and their best chance to steal a win in Boston will be in game one.

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