King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2: What We Learned

By Jackson Flickinger

May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot of Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot of Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts to a call as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts to a call as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter in game two of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Going small isn’t working for the Celtics.

Brad Stevens tried to jump start his team by starting out small. He replaced Amir Johnson with Gerald Green for Game 2. To say this plan backfired on him would be an understatement.

More from King James Gospel

There are few adjustments that Stevens can make. It’s impossible to contain LeBron James the way he’s playing right now, but going small isn’t the way to do it. Especially when you also have to deal with Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson as well.

The Cavs’ starting lineup feasted while playing against this unit. They finished as a plus 16 in 22 minutes of work. The advanced statistics show just how well Cleveland’s starters did. They finished with an offensive rating of 136.6, a defensive rating of 90.1, a rebound percentage of 62.9, and an effective field goal percentage of 72.7.

There really aren’t many adjustments the Celtics can make. However, if Game 2 showed us anything it’s that going small to start the game isn’t the answer.

Coach Stevens will have his work cut out for him looking for a adjustments to make for Game 3. With that said, I really don’t think there are many positive adjustments he can make. A coach can’t make up this vast of a discrepancy in talent.