After another strong regular season, the Boston Celtics are also convincing in the NBA playoffs, but the question arises: Do the Game 2 defeats, especially at home against the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, offer legitimate reason for concern? there won’t be anything with the next NBA title this year either?
Boston also prevails in round 2
The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were weakened by injuries, 113:98 in front of their home fans on the night from Wednesday to Thursday night (CET). As they did against the Miami Heat in Round 1, they beat Cleveland in Round 2 with 4-1 and are the first team in this year’s Conference Finals.
The player of the game was the oldest man on the court: Al Horford, who will be 38 in just over two weeks, impressed with 22 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks as well as 1 steal. Jayson Tatum was the Celtics’ leading scorer with 25 points.
Haunted by bad luck with injuries
The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, had to do without more personnel from game to game. Their All-Star center Jarret Allen had to spend the entire series on the sidelines, but unfortunately for his team, more and more colleagues arrived. Donovan Mitchell was forced to sit out after Game 3 and Caris LeVert after Game 4. Evan Mobley had another strong game and was Cleveland’s top scorer with 33 points.
Despite a courageous performance by the men from Cleveland, in the end the difference was too great and the series could not be extended. Now Cleveland has to say goodbye to the break while Boston moves on to the Conference Finals.
Runde 2 Celtics vs. CavaliersFlashscore
Where is Boston’s home strength?
At first glance, the Celtics were the strongest team in the regular season (64-18) and also won the most home games (37-4) in the entire league. So far, however, the actual home strength in the playoffs has not yet come into play. Since 2021, only just under half of their playoff home games have been won and game 2 at home against both the Miami Heat and the Cavs was played with little resistance.
The sluggish defense in particular gave the second-strongest defense of the regular season cause for concern. The rotations in our own defense were too slow and the opponents regularly made free throws from the three-point line. Miami was even able to set a franchise record of 22 successful three-pointers.
Boston’s biggest opponents are themselves
Many fans are probably scratching their heads these days and don’t quite understand how Game 2 against Miami and Cleveland could have come about in this way. If you take a closer look at the team and their performance so far this season, it almost seems as if their biggest opponent is themselves. Games like against the Milwaukee Bucks (1/12/24 135-102) or the B team of the Los Angeles Lakers (2/2/24 105-114) always raise questions.
Often it is due to the defense being too lax, so that opponents simply have too much time to throw or reach the basket without any problems. This is simply not common in an otherwise strong defense. On offense, the ball often didn’t flow as usual and instead of lots of passes, the players often tried 1-on-1 and difficult throws from the three-point line.
If you put aside this recklessness, you will definitely have to reckon with Boston in the final.
With an ace up his sleeve into the conference final
Boston now has to wait until Sunday or Tuesday evening (local time) before the conference finals are about a place in the NBA Finals. Kristaps Porzingis will probably be there again. The 2.18 m tall center has been out since Game 4 in Miami with a calf injury. Boston will probably only be able to reach its full potential with Porzingis. His defense under the basket takes even the Boston Celtics defense to a new level. Offensively, with his strong three-point shot, he creates a lot of space for the star wing players Tatum and Brown to regularly and successfully get to the basket.
But until Porzingis is fit again, Al Horford will continue to hold down the fort.
Who they will wait for there will be decided on Friday or Sunday when the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks face each other in Game 6 and, if necessary, Game 7. Game 6 takes place Saturday morning at 2:30 a.m. (CET).
Runde 2 Pacers vs. KnicksFlashscore
Zum Match-Center: Pacers vs. Knicks
2024-05-17 05:07:37
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