Cavs vs Celtics: 5 Standout Stats from Game 2

Now that was one heck of a game! It was definitely a showdown as the Boston Celtics gave the Cleveland Cavaliers the scare of their lives in Game 2 of their playoff series. But as the smoke cleared from Cavs Vs Celtics, it was still the hometown Cavs who prevailed over the tough-as-nails Celtics. Now the series shifts to the TD Garden for Game 3 in what is sure to be a raucous crowd that’s bent on rattling the destiny-bound Cavaliers.

But before we head over to Boston for the all-important Game 3 of the Cavs vs. Celtics series, let’s take a look at Game 2 one more time and let the stats tell us the defining moments of the game.

1. LeBron James: 4,469 Total Points for Playoffs Career (7^th place)

James came into the game needing 19 points to pass Laker great Jerry West for 7^th all-time in playoffs scoring.

James finished with 4,469 points for his career, 292 points away from 6^th place Karl Malone.

He did so with his 4^th point in the fourth quarter where he scored 15 of his game-high 30 points as the King came through with clutch shot after clutch shot. He may be one of the game’s most gifted passers, but he’s no slouch in the scoring department either as Boston had no answer for a rampaging LeBron who simply could not be stopped. James finished with 4,469 points for his career, 292 points away from 6^th place Karl Malone. If the Cavs go deep in the playoffs, he’ll move up the list again in 10 to 12 more games.

2. Cavaliers: LeBron James and Kyrie Irving Combine for 24 Points in the 4^th Quarter

Not only did LeBron and Kyrie finish with 24 combined points in the fourth, they were the only players to score in the quarter for Cleveland, including the last four points of the third.

We talked at length about James already so let’s focus on Irving. By scoring 9 of his 26 points in the fourth, the All-Star point guard showed that he was not afraid of the pressure. In fact, he seems to relishes in it. His three-pointer with 7:45 to go in the game gave the Cavs a five-point cushion that gave the team a breather from the suffocating defense that the Celts were employing. Great offense always beats great defense and that was true for Kyrie and LeBron in this game, most importantly, in the last quarter.

3. Tristan Thompson: 5 Offensive Rebounds, 11 for the Game

Thompson’s two offensive rebounds in the last 1:31 of the game were big in securing the lead, keeping the possession with Cleveland, and giving the team the opportunity to pad the lead.

Thompson’s value to this team cannot be overstated. Coach David Blatt’s confidence in the young man during crunch time is well deserved as he keeps getting timely offensive rebounds in crucial moments even in the playoffs. Both offensive rebounds ended up with the team scoring soon after, thus, deflating any hopes that the Celtics had of mounting a comeback.

4. Cavaliers 18 Turnovers vs. Celtics 11 Turnovers

Boston knew they would be better in this game and they were right.

The Celts also showed that they can handle the pressure of playing in front of enemy territory by committing only 11 turnovers of their own.

The pesky defense that Coach Brad Stevens employed on the Cavs kept them in the game while forcing their opponents to cough up the ball 18 times. The Celts also showed that they can handle the pressure of playing in front of enemy territory by committing only 11 turnovers of their own. This team will not give up and will fight you tooth and nail until their last breath and it showed in their playoff-quality D, even forcing LeBron to commit 6 turnovers.

5. Celtics Bench: 51 points; Cavs Bench: 7 points

Another game, another Celtics bench dominance.

More from King James Gospel

For the second straight game, Boston’s starters were outscored by their relievers thanks in large part to the always reliable Isaiah Thomas. But he wasn’t the only bench player to come up big as Jared Sullinger and Jae Crowder did their part, too, by scoring 14 and 10, respectively. Kelly Olynyk rounds out the bench scoring with five of his own. These guys really know how to play off of one another and their team chemistry is off the charts. If Boston is to win Game 3, or any game in this series, for that matter, Thomas has to play more than 30 minutes a game even if he has to come off the bench all the time.

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