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Cavs vs. Celtics: Four Things We Learned

By Daniel Opacich

Mar 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 120-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) works against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 120-103. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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With both teams on back-to-backs, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics battled Saturday night at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, with the Cavs getting some revenge with a 120-103 win.

The Celtics came out shooting 60% in the first quarter running up a 35-22 lead over the Cavaliers. But the Cavaliers returned the favor fighting back with a 33-19 second quarter for a 55-54 lead at the half. The difference? The Cavs turned up the defense and played a smaller line-up, inserting Iman Shumpert at the small forward position for part of the second quarter and throughout the game, being the sub of the game with 12 points and 16 rebounds and a pair of steals.

Once they inserted this smaller line-up, the momentum changed and the Cavs continued their run in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics 36-29, shooting a lofty 67% for the quarter. The fourth quarter was hard-fought and the Cavaliers dominated winning their third straight game with a score of 120-103. It was one of the biggest comebacks of the season as they came back from an 18-point deficit in the second quarter.

The four things we learned:

1.) LeBron James still has the ability to play as he has in the past and shows it when he gets motivated to do one of his “chase down” blocks. His athleticism is still their, he just cannot do it for an 82 game season AND the playoffs. So, he saves his body and strength for the playoffs.

2.) The Cavaliers appear to be most effective when one of Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving is on the floor with LeBron James. When all three are on the floor, the defensive deficiencies are that much more exaggerated. And if you replace either Love or Irving with Shumpert, your defensive efficiency goes way up.

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3.) The Celtics came out attempting to play aggressive, smash-mouth basketball, but it had back-fired on them because the Cavs maintained their cool while the Celtics kept getting fouls called against them including two technical fouls and a flagrant foul. The Cavs defensive pressure caused the Celtics to play the Cavaliers game and Cleveland dominated the second through the fourth quarters.

4.) When the Cavaliers are able to get more than 10 offensive rebounds and 23 assists they are difficult to beat. They have a record of 32-3 when they have at least 23 assists and tonight they had 27 assists, and added 15 offensive rebounds that created many second chance point opportunities.

Will the Cavaliers begin to use the small ball line-up more often when they struggle against the smaller teams? My guess would be yes! Let your opinion be known in the comments below.