NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Game 1 Cavs vs Celtics - Preview
The paths in to the Conference finals have both been pretty smooth for the Cavs and Celts. Cleveland did what they do every year and swept the Raptors out in 4 straight games and the Celtics won in 5 against Philly in what was a fairly close series even though it only went 5 game games. Lebron was out of this wold against the Raptors, he carried Cleveland on his shoulders for the entire series particularly in the first 2 games away in Toronto and once they got back to the 'Land' there was only ever going to be one result.
Now i may be accused of bias here by Aussie Aaron Baynes can be a factor in this series, you may not see it on the stat board but Baynes is one of the best defenders in the NBA, at times he is going to need to guard Lebron inside and outside the post and that was something that no one from Toronto could manage in the first round. Boston are severely depleted and not having Kyrie Irving playing really robs this series of its marquee match up but i think Boston can still trouble King James and his crew!
I still think the Cavs win game 1 purely due to there playoff experience, outside Al Horford the Celts are very young and inexperienced when it comes to big playoff games. Lebron, Love, Thompson and JR Smith have been doing this dance for the last 5 years for Cleveland so they know how it will unfold. Im taking Cleveland by 9 in Game 1.
The King will get the job done,
There is not as much in experience in the Boston lineup when it comes to the pointy end of the payoffs.
Youth is great don't get me wrong, but we can't keep expecting Tatum, Brown and Rozier to continue this insane run of form.
Baynes can box out Love in the paint better than Al Horford I think.
Should be an exciting series without a doubt, but unless someone can stop KD he seems to be the edge that will get the Warriors another ring.
You are right i think, although the Houston and GSW series will be an interesting one!