The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics will once again do battle for the Eastern Conference crown in their bid to make it to the NBA Finals. While the matchup between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving won’t happen due to Irving’s injury, which forced him to miss the entire playoffs, the Celtics as a collective unit will be the real marquee matchup for LeBron. Here’s my analysis for the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Celtics and the defending conference champion Cavaliers.
Point Guard: Jordan Clarkson vs. Terry Rozier: Ever since coming to the Cavaliers, Jordan Clarkson has helped them on the defensive end, while Terry Rozier (pronounced Ro-sheer) has been one of the more physical difference makers for the Celtics in terms of offense and defense. In their last five games, Clarkson averaged 4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, while Rozier averaged 19 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. It’s going to take a lot of intensity from Clarkson (or even Jose Calderon) to play physically with Rozier, but expect this matchup to have some difficulties. Advantage: Boston
Shooting Guard: J.R. Smith vs. Jaylen Brown: The matchup between J.R. Smith and Jaylen Brown is going to be one where who can outscore the other. Smith averaged 12.2 points and 2 rebounds per game. Jaylen Brown, on the other hand, averaged 15.3 points and 5 rebounds per game. On any given night, either player can put up some big numbers, which is why this matchup should be watched closely. Advantage: Even
Small Forward: LeBron James vs. Jayson Tatum: LeBron has been on a roll throughout the playoffs. He showed his determination against the Indiana Pacers in a seven game series in the first round, and once again, defeated the Toronto Raptors for the third consecutive time in the postseason. Unfortunately for Jayson Tatum, this is what he’ll have to go up against. Though the Celtics may have a similar road to the Conference Finals like Cleveland did, having beaten the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games and recently defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games, but the showdown with LeBron will prove to be the most ominous, especially considering that last season, the Celtics lost in six games against the Cavs. Jayson Tatum will have to continue raise his game, because LeBron sure will. Advantage: Cleveland
Power Forward: Kevin Love. vs. Al Horford: Al Horford has been a difference maker for the Boston Celtics, providing a lot of veteran leadership in the absence of the aforementioned and injured Irving and Hayward. Heading into this series, Horford will have his hands full against not only Kevin Love, but also a high flyer in Larry Nance Jr. and an all-around player in Jeff Green. In the first round of the playoffs, Love was almost a no-show in the first round series for Cleveland against Indiana, but picked up his intensity in the series against Toronto. Love averaged 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, whereas Horford made 15.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Horford and Love is another match basketball fans would need to look at as well. Advantage: Even.
Center: Tristan Thompson vs. Aron Baynes: The battle of the bigs between Tristan Thompson and Aron Baynes will be nothing short of down and dirty. Both players do their dirty work in the paint, though Thompson prefers to shoot the mid-range and the three-point line. Thompson averages 7.2 points per game, while Baynes made 8 points per game. Advantage: Even.
Coach: Tyronn Lue vs. Brad Stevens: This matchup should actually be LeBron vs. Brad Stevens, since LeBron takes over the reigns for Cleveland anyway. If anything, Tyronn Lue, may just have sit back and put on cruise control while LeBron does his thing. Brad Stevens, on the other hand, has a trick up his sleeve. He has Kyrie Irving, who once played with LeBron and knows his every tendencies to a science. That may come in handy for Stevens, but that’ll probably not come into play when needed, or LeBron could possibly flip the script on the Celtics. While Lue may have led the Cavaliers to the Finals twice, it was all thanks to LeBron. Stevens has done a phenomenal job coaching the Celtics, even without his main two stars, and was even a candidate for Coach of the Year. Advantage: Boston.
Bench and X-Factor: The Cavaliers’ bench consists of players like Jeff Green, Larry Nance Jr., Jose Calderon, Cedi Osman, Rodney Hood, George Hill, and Jordan Clarkson. A group of players that can accomodate for LeBron at his whim. Perhaps the only player on the Cavs bench that has some potency is Kyle Korver. Korver has been a three-point threat his whole career and still continues to be. Expect Korver to make some pivotal, if not huge shots for Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Celtics’ bench consists of Shane Larkin, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, and Greg Monroe, who put on a grind it out effort every time they take the court. Marcus Smart will definitely be the difference maker for the Celtics and will no doubt, throw his entire body around on the defensive end to get the job done. Both benches have impressive players, but it will all depend on which bench player will come through for their team in crucial moments of the series. Advantage: Even.
The Celtics will look to be very focused in this series, especially considering the fact that this team lost to Cleveland in six games last season. LeBron is still on a mission to prove that he is still the best player in the world, while the Celtics look to rise to the occasion. Prediction: A seven game series with either team winning.
The Heat Check Magazine 