How the Boston Celtics can survive Game 5

“Like, they hit the post, Golden State runs splits and all that stuff but these guys are running all kinds of (stuff)”. Coach Brad Stevens has the Celtics constantly trying new schemes and lineups to try and fill the hole of Thomas.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were dominant through the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics, but faltered a bit in Games 3 and 4 at home.

If you don’t want to rile up friends and relatives over the long weekend, you might also steer clear of the James-Jordan comparison. “But, hey, this is just great learning for all of us of how far we have to go”. But they deserve a lot of credit. They don’t have a lot of weak links to go to, to go at. James showed no ill effects in the game, finishing with 35 points. The Celtics never led in any of the games in Boston, trailing by as many as 50 in Game 2 and 39 on Thursday night before both teams emptied their benches.

Cleveland’s 75 first half points were the most in an National Basketball Association playoff game half since 2003 and gave them an 18-point cushion.

Irving’s signature game of the postseason came in Game 4 against the Celtics when he scored a playoff career-high 42 points, including 21 in the third quarter.

“He’s a special talent”, James said of Irving, who scored a playoff career-high 42 points in Wednesday’s success.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue chuckled before the game when he was asked if he planned to say anything to James following his sub-standard performance in Game 3.

Four Celtics notched double-figures in Game 4-led by Avery Bradley, who tallied 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Jonas Jerebko came off the bench to score 10 points without missing a shot after he totaled just eight points in the previous nine games. I wasn’t coming out. “We definitely needed that effort from him”. “We had a couple turnovers that were unforced, but for the most part, I thought they forced those turnovers”. Overall, James and Irving outscored the Celtics 60-50 after Boston took their largest lead of the game with 5:30 left in the first half. But they’ve got a multitude of people who are unselfish in that regard and play a attractive game, and on top of that play “D” at the other end.

Cleveland were none too pleased, especially J.R. Smith, who said star team-mate James was not aggressive or confident enough during that game.

The game was teetering on the edge for the Cavs, as they trailed by as many as 16 points and faced the embarrassment of the series going back to Boston tied up.

“I think the biggest thing for me sitting here today after breaking the all-time scoring record in playoff history is that I did it being me”, said James. “He was able to get by us and make tough shots in the paint“.