NBA Playoffs: Cavs Vs Celtics Point Guard Match-up

The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Boston Celtics in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs. The Cavaliers expected to compete for an NBA Title before the season started while the C’s were expected to tank for draft positioning.

The Cavs struggled early in the season but took off after LeBron James returned from injury and David Griffin added the “New 3” to the “Big 3” in mid-January. The Celtics on the other hand surprised many, likely including themselves, making the playoffs after trading both Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo during the season.

As the two teams get ready to face off with each other, starting on Sunday, we will preview some of the specific match-ups for the series. We start this morning with the point guard position.

Lead Guard

A+. . PG. Cavaliers. KYRIE IRVING

C+. . PG. Celtics. MARCUS SMART

Kyrie Irving has shown his amazing talent level this year. He has adjusted to not having the ball in his hands when LeBron is on the floor and taking over when LBJ takes a seat. He is averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game with PER of 21.57. Even with LeBron and Kevin Love, Irving increased his scoring from last season. His defense has gone from “worst in the league” area to competent. It has been a huge improvement.

Marcus Smart has started 37 games for the Celtics, benefiting from the Rondo trade. Known mostly as a defender and slasher, Smart is only averaging 7.8 points and 3.1 assists per game but has 1.5 steals defensively. His shooting still needs a lot of work, 37% from the field, 33% from deep and 65% from the free throw line. Smart is big and strong and has a lot of room to develop.

Match-up – Smart, as a rookie, and Irving, in his 4th season, will both be experiencing the NBA Playoffs first. Smart will have to rely on his size and strength to try to punish Irving on both sides of the floor. Irving could struggle if Smart is able to play offense out of the post but the rookie hasn’t developed much of that game yet. SG Avery Bradley might get the defensive assignment on the Cavs star guard.

Advantage – Cavs – Easy decision here. The Cavs have the advantage by a ton here.

Backup Guard

C. . PG. Cavaliers. MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA

B+. . PG. Celtics. ISAIAH THOMAS

These grades are based on their roles on the team, not grades for them as overall players. Matthew Dellavedova is not a great player but plays his role well. He is a big defender, 6’4″, who keeps the ball moving and has improved his shooting over the second half the season. The Cavs call on him to play alongside LeBron most often while Irving is on the bench. He knows his role and takes wise shots. He shot 41% from deep in April, providing the spacing the second unit needs.

Isaiah Thomas is a whole different weapon than Delly. Diminutive at 5’9″ and 185 pounds, Thomas is an offensive dynamo. He averaged 20 last year with the Sacramento Kings, struggled a bit with the Phoenix Suns this year and has provided the C’s exactly what they need. Thomas has averaged 19 points and 5.4 assists in his 21 games in the East. His shooting from deep, 35%, isn’t great but he gets to the hole and can really impact defenses.

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Match-up – Very few can stay in front of Thomas while Delly doesn’t do enough to make Thomas suffer on the defensive end. Being able to stay in front of Thomas with his body will help keep the Cavs second line players out of foul trouble. Thomas can really impact the integrity of the Cavs defense. Delly isn’t asked to do much but needs to defend well and knock down shots for the Cavs.

Advantage – Celtics – Thomas is an excellent offensive spark plug off the bench. He is a better version of Nate Robinson, Lou Williams and other guards who have given the Cavs some trouble. Delly will fill his role but Thomas will have a bigger impact.

How do you see the point guard match-up in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs between the Cavs and Celtics?

Next: Evolution of LeBron's and the Cavs' Season