Cleveland Cavaliers: What we learned vs. Boston Celtics Game 2

BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics is defended by LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers were punched in the face again as the Boston Celtics took Game 2 107-94. The Cavs will head back home facing a 0-2 deficit.

Coming out strong to start the game, the Cleveland Cavaliers jumped out to a 10-point lead early behind a 21 point first quarter from LeBron James. However, that all changed after James hurt his neck on a hard foul from Jayson Tatum. Boston outscored Cleveland 71-47 after that point.

.@KingJames and the @cavs will use the next few days to regroup. Then, "we'll see what we're made of on Saturday."#CavsCeltics || #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/MGQAF9pcfA
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) May 16, 2018

James was fantastic throughout, despite the hard foul. He finished with a 42 point triple-double on 55.2% shooting. Kevin Love also had a strong game with 22 points and 15 boards.

But, they didn’t get any help outside of that.

Excluding garbage time, the rest of the Cavaliers added just 27 points on 11 of 31 shooting.

Boston forced the action and was by far the most aggressive team. Their hustle and physicality wore down the Cavs in the second half and is the largest reason why this game ended the way it did. The Cavs need to find a way to respond or this could be a short series.

Here’s what we learned from the loss.