King James Gospel
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics: King James Gospel Roundtable Preview

By Nathan Beighle

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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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 /

Robbie DiPaola (@R_DiPaola16)

After 10 days of rest, the Cavaliers will finally get back on the court when they take on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

While some are predicting this series to go deep, I am not. This will be a series the Cavs dominate for long stretches of time. Boston will have their runs and spurts to challenge the Cavs, but they simply do not have the firepower the defending champions possess.

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers /

Cleveland Cavaliers

Boston will have problems guarding LeBron James (let’s be honest, everyone has that problem) and I expect James to have a field day this entire series. An X-factor for Boston in my mind is Avery Bradley. He’ll be the one guarding Kyrie Irving when they are both on the floor and in addition to his lockdown defense Bradley has emerged as a solid No. 2 scorer for the Celtics this postseason. For the Cavs, their X-factors in my mind are both Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith. These two will have the primary responsibility of guarding the man known as “I.T.” Isaiah Thomas. In addition to having the responsibility of guarding the Celtics best player, both guards will be called upon to score the ball and take some of the burden off of James and Irving.

The result of Game 1 in this series will tell us a lot. If the Cavs are able to roll past the Celtics with ease, this could be a quick conference finals series. However, if Boston is able to hang with the Cavs and even take game one from the Wine and Gold, we could be in for a series. With all that being said I am predicting the Cavs sweep the Celtics. The team is playing their best basketball of the season right now and Boston is coming off a grueling seven game series with Washington.

While Thomas will be tough to handle, I believe the Cavs defense steps up and with their high powered offense ready to strike, Cleveland will make quick work of the Celtics and get ready for round three with Golden State.