The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics NEED to collide in the playoffs

If these two didn’t square off, it’d be a shame

The NBA schedule makers did something very interesting for the four games between the Cavaliers and Celtics this season. First, they’d square off in Boston, then face another team, and meet after a one game hiatus for a rematch in Cleveland. Even though there was another game in between the two matchups, it still felt like a playoff series because that’s a similar structure to what a playoff series looks like.

Given their recent playoff history and the nail biters they’ve been involved in this season, Cleveland and Boston have a budding rivalry. As the regular season series wore on, the intensity quickly ratcheted up and there might’ve been some animosity that developed between the two teams. If the Cavaliers and Celtics don’t meet in the playoffs this season, it’s going to be an absolute travesty!

The Cavaliers won the regular season series against the Celtics 3-1, but they might’ve gone 4-0 against the defending Eastern Conference champs if there were approximately 30 more seconds on the clock in Boston on March 1. Even though they didn’t sweep the Celtics, Cleveland still sent a powerful statement to Boston, and the rest of the Eastern Conference for that matter, that they’re going to be a factor moving forward.

In three out of the four games between the two adversaries, four quarters were not enough to decide a winner. The biggest reason the fourth game in Cleveland went to overtime is that the Cavs outscored the Celtics 31-17 in the fourth quarter. Donovan Mitchell set the tone for Cleveland with 40 points, Evan Mobley added 25 points, and Darius Garland contributed 17 points.

Given the way the regular season went down between the Celtics and Cavaliers, the two teams need to collide in the playoffs. If they do meet in the playoffs, it would most likely take place in the second round which would be a call back to 2008 and 2010, however, there’s a slim possibility they could match up in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although, the Cavs would have to get through the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 2, which would be a callback to 2017 and 2018.

While the Celtics roster is similar to what they had in 2018 with guys like Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Jayson Tatum, the Cavaliers roster is completely different. The 2018 Cavs squad had guys like Jose Calderon, George Hill, Jae Crowder, Rodney Hood, Kyle Korver, and of course “The King” LeBron James. Now the Cavs roster is composed of guys like Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Lamar Stevens, Cedi Osman (who was also on that 2018 squad), Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell.

Since many of the players on the Celtics have been together since at least 2017, they’ve been able to develop chemistry and continuity. Tatum and Brown know each other’s tendencies and they know where the other likes to take shots. Garland, Mobley, and Allen have a year under their belt as a trio, but they don’t have the same level of chemistry and continuity as the Celtics. Plus, they’ve had to work Mitchell into the mix this season. But that factor didn’t rear its head this season as the Cavaliers won the regular season against the Celtics 3-1.

Once the Cavaliers went out and acquired Mitchell, they got thrust right into the contender discussion. In my humble opinion, they’re playoff contenders rather than championship contenders.