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3 adjustments the Cavs could make for Game 2

By Quenton S. Albertie

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What adjustments should the Cleveland Cavaliers make ahead of Game 2?

The Cleveland Cavaliers had important adjustments to make before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals after a blowout loss against the Boston Celtics in Game 1.

LeBron James was certainly passive and a lot of the Cavaliers’ misfortune was due to the Cavaliers missing uncontested three-point attempts and going down big on the scoreboard early. However, the other issue was that the Cavaliers just didn’t adjust to the Celtics’ athleticism or exploit the Celtics defense in the way that they should.

Having Kevin Love guard Al Horford and Kyle Korver guard Jaylen Brown was a bad idea from the start and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens could be heard imploring his team to challenge the Cavaliers’ lateral movement during the game. The Cavaliers’ defense broke consistently because of their inability contain players along the perimeter or interior.

Offensively, the Cavaliers rightly tried to exploit Love’s low-post mismatches against smaller players in the second half. However, they didn’t do the same for James. That, along with other issues, resulted in the snowball effect that was the final score 108-83.

While Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has hinted that he’ll start Tristan Thompson against the Celtics in Game 2, in large part to defend Horford, here are a few other adjustments that Lue could consider making.

Establishing LeBron James (and Kevin Love) below the foul-line

The Cleveland Cavaliers rarely saw LeBron James score inside the restricted area in Game 1. In fact, only 6 of James’ points and 4 of James’ field goal attempts came within four feet of the rim in Game 1. Although the Cavs waived the white flag with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, down 68-96, he didn’t manage to get a single shot inside the restricted area in the fourth quarter.

This postseason, 39.0 percent of James’ shots have come within 0-3 feet of the rim but in Game 1, James only managed to take 2 out of his 16 field goal attempts (12.5 percent) inside the restricted area.

Part of this was due to the Boston Celtics’ myriad of stout, yet athletic defenders. However, there was rarely an emphasis on getting James shots closer to the rim, where he’s at his best.

James has posted-up on 40 possessions (12.0 percent of his total offensive possessions) this postseason, scoring 1.13 points per possession.

His lack of attempts around the rim is also evident in his free-throw attempt total from Game 1 (6). James has averaged 9.7 free-throw attempts per game this postseason.

Playing James below the foul-line is sure to get him easier attempts and invite the type of defensive reactions (help, double-teams) that result in open results for his teammates. If the Cavs are willing to force-feed Kevin Love inside (as they should, in this series) similar sentiments should be shared for James

Playing Jordan Clarkson with a point guard, always

Jordan Clarkson has proven that his first, second and third thought when he has the ball is to score. A player like that can’t be the primary ball-handler for your ball team.

While the Cavs played Jose Calderon at the start of the postseason, they started to go away from him with the athleticism of their opponents presenting a challenge for them.

That’s still an issue, as there are a number of athletic players on the Celtics roster that know how to put the ball in the bucket in the starting lineup. However, in the minutes where a player like Marcus Smart is the primary ball-handler and one of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum aren’t on the court, playing Calderon beside Clarkson is possible.

That said, whenever Clarkson is on the floor against players like Terry Rozier and the aforementioned Brown and Tatum, keeping a heady point like George Hill on the court would be wise, even if LeBron James is on the court. That way, the team can stay in-rhythm, shot-selection is improved and the ball-movement is… well… existent.

Don’t be afraid to go past nine-man rotation

With Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, Jeff Green and Tristan Thompson having made their appearances off the bench, the Cleveland Cavaliers have settled on a nine-man rotation in the postseason.

However, with the need to play Clarkson off-ball, and the athletic scorers found throughout the Celtics roster, going deeper into the bench may be needed.

Jose Calderon would provide veteran savvy as the backup point guard, in addition to great three-point shooting and surprising defensive tenacity. Players like Cedi Osman and Larry Nance Jr. might provide invaluable hustle, defensive production and energy that the team can feed off of in a hostile Celtics environment and at home, as the two are fan favorites.

Like the Boston Celtics dug past their regular rotation when the time was right this postseason, such as starting Semi Ojeleye against the Milwaukee Bucks to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Cavaliers must use their depth.

Related Story: 3 positive takeaways from Game 1 blowout

*Unless otherwise referenced, stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com