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Cavaliers-Celtics Key Matchup: Kyrie Irving vs. Isaiah Thomas

By Tevin Williams

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Point Guard Matchup Between Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas Is The One To Watch

The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers matchup will probably be the most competitive series so far in this postseason. The key matchup will be between Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas.

Neither Thomas or Irving is known for their defense, so they will not guard each other at all times during this series. From an offensive perspective, look for them to go at each other head-to-head.

I believe that this is the most important matchup for both teams. Whichever player outperforms the other on a given night, will give his team the best opportunity for a win.

All of the pressure is on Thomas to win this key matchup in each game. It is his job to score the most points and to get his Celtic teammates involved each night. Kyrie Irving is both the second scoring option and the second best playmaker on this Cleveland team.

Thomas doesn’t have a LeBron James-like player to lean on when he is having an off night.

Because Kyrie doesn’t have the same offensive burden that Thomas does, look for him to give more effort on the defensive end.

He won’t guard Thomas the whole game though; Iman Shumpert will get the nod to cover Thomas when he enters the game off the bench and J.R. Smith may guard Thomas some too.

It’s important for Irving to guard Thomas well enough so that Coach Lue can stay flexible in his substitutions late in games but as the Cleveland Cavaliers have shown they can close out games with James-led bench units if need be. Keep in mind that a lot of Cavs bench players (Deron Williams, Kyle Korver, Channing Frye) have started in the majority of games they’ve played throughout lengthy careers.

If Irving can defend Thomas effectively, though, Cleveland will be able to select a lineup of three-point shooters to space the floor for Kyrie and LeBron to go to work in the fourth quarter.

If Kyrie Wins The Matchup Every Game, Cleveland Will Sweep Boston

I’ve already predicted that the Cavaliers will defeat Boston in six games.

With that being said, if Kyrie has an unbelievable series and outplays Thomas night in and night out, Cleveland will win every game. An electric Irving, along with James and Love will be too much firepower to match for Boston.

If the Cavaliers do drop one or two games to Boston, Thomas will have huge games on these nights. Thomas having “IT Time” moments is the only chance that Boston has at defeating this mighty Cavalier team.

Irving is the x-factor for Cleveland. If he can average 25 or more a game then it will be lights out for Boston. He averaged 25.5 points per game against the Celtics in the regular season, as the Cavs won three out the four games they played.

Related Story: 5 Keys for the Cleveland Cavaliers to defeat the Boston Celtics

What matchup are you looking forward to in the Cavaliers-Celtics series. Leave your comment below or on Twitter @KJG_NBA.