Boston Celtics: 5 reasons they can upset the Cleveland Cavaliers

All 11 games between these teams in the regular season and postseason – all physical affairs – were won by the home team. Now we’re both here and it’s time. If he can average 25 or more a game then it will be lights out for Boston. “Just to be part of the postseason is a treat for me”. It will be interesting to see how long it takes him to start demoralizing the Celtics, one of the better home teams in the National Basketball Association (30-11), on their parquet floor.

Maybe the Celtics won’t overcome James and his crew this season, but they should keep improving.

Two years later, he returned with Miami to Boston, scored 45 points in Game 6 of the conference finals, forced a Game 7 and led the Heat to the first of two straight titles.

If Boston manages to upset the Cavs tonight, you can bet Celtics Nation on hand will play a prominent role. Just knowing some of the coaches on their coaching staff, they like the way they did it. Undefeated, averaging 110 points per game on the offensive end, and well rested. “We have to game plan every game”. Second-seeded Cleveland, 8-0 in the playoffs, took the season series 2-1. “The first couple of rounds they didn’t think we were going to get past that, so we’re not really anxious about what others are thinking”. The Celtics can win this series, and here are five reasons why. So, can the Celtics win in the Q come games 3 and 4?

We don’t want to diminish Celtics’ success in any way, but the fact that they had tougher opponents stands.

Just like the previous series, all the pressure is on the Celts to hold serve at TD Garden. “We got the No1 seed, they didn’t give us a chance”, Thomas said after scoring 29 points and dishing 12 assists to eliminate the Wizards.

Don’t count the Celts out however!

Irving is the x-factor for Cleveland. “You’re never satisfied, for me, unless you hoist a trophy, but I can appreciate what we’ve been able to accomplish in the two, three years I’ve been back”.

Quarter himself Isaiah Thomas also was critical to the late push by Boston with a team high 29 points in 40 minutes. Thomas has been the emotional leader for this team and when he can’t be the team struggles.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant on Doc Rivers’ staff for the Celtics in 2012, agreed that James’ Game 6 masterpiece was the turning point in his career. But his defense was lacking as Jimmy Butler poured in 30 points. “I think we’ll be fine”.

James needs six steals to pass Michael Jordan (376 steals) for second place in National Basketball Association playoff history.

Can Kelly Olynyk Continue his Hot Shooting? Uh, maybe they’ll come out slow and rusty in Game 1? The two teams squared off a total of four times during the regular season with the Cavaliers beating the Celtics three times. Guys like Tyler Zeller, Jonas Jerebko, James Young and Gerald Green will only play if somebody gets hurt or has too many fouls.

“I’m hurting but it’s the playoffs, so there’s no excuses”, he said, adding it’s “My whole body” that hurts.

When things look bleak and all other things fail, falling back on the “it’s us against the world” always helps for some level of motivation and expect to hear a lot of it in the next day or two …