Match Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Match Date: 19 May 2017 (EDT/EST)
12BET (Basketball Tip)
Head coach Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics must find ways to limit LeBron James and it’s teammates shooting the ball and starts with effort on perimeter defense. Celtics might have the chance to split the series with a tight victory as they have the crowd with them against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But with LeBron James and Kevin Love’s stellar performances, Cavs could come away with a 2-0 series lead.
Team Analysis
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics fought hard in the Eastern Conference Finals but came up losing game 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-104. The Celtics struggled in the first half and was trailed 61-39 at the break. Jae Crowder (21 points, five assists, and eight rebounds), Avery Bradley (21 points), and Isaiah Thomas (17 points and 10 assists) were not enough to beat the Cavs.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers destroyed the Celtics in Game 1. As expected, LeBron James led the team with 38 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while Kevin Love added a Playoff career high 32 points and 12 rebounds and a near double-double from Tristan Thompson (20 points and nine rebounds). Meanwhile, head coach Tyronn Lue and James will be hoping to see more from Kyrie Irving who got 11 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Eastern Conference Finals Series Schedule: Cleveland leads Boston 1-0
Game Date Matchup Time (EDT/EST)
- Wednesday May 17 Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (117-104 CLE)
- Friday, May 19 Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, May 21 Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 23 Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30 p.m.
5*Thursday, May 25 Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics 8:30 p.m.
6*Saturday, May 27 Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers 8:30 p.m.
7*Monday, May 29 Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics 8:30p.m.
(* – IF NECESSARY)
Prediction
The Celtics lost their home court advantage in Game 1 against the Cavs, but there are still at least three games to play including Game 2 at TD Garden in the Eastern Conference Finals. The underdog Celtics will try to pull up a win due to their perimeter shooting. Nonetheless, LeBron and the Cavs is still expected to roll and dominate the game over Celtics.
Line: Cleveland -5.5; Over/Under: 219.5 (this odd might change)
Game 2 Prediction: Celtics 105, Cavaliers 101
Photo Credit: nba
