NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference - First Round
Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Cleveland -11.0, Total: 207.5

The Celtics will be trying to even this series up when they face the Cavaliers in Cleveland for Game 2 on Tuesday.

The Celtics got off to a solid start in Game 1, heading into the second quarter up 31-27 but it was all downhill from there. The Cavaliers were just too much for them the rest of the way and won the game with their physicality and toughness. Cleveland went to the line 33 times in the game and made 26 of those free throws. The Cavaliers also outrebounded the Celtics 57-41, and that number includes an impressive 15 offensive rebounds. Boston will need to be more aggressive on the glass and way more disciplined on the defensive end in Game 2. On the season, the Cavaliers are now 3-2 both SU and ATS versus the Celtics. The teams have split wins SU when playing in Cleveland over the past three seasons, but the Cavs are 4-2 ATS in those contests. Boston is 31-18 ATS as an underdog this season and 15-5 ATS after two or more consecutive Overs this season also. Cleveland, however, is 12-3 ATS after five straight games forcing its opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers over the past two seasons. The Celtics are not currently dealing with any injuries and C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) is the only player out for the Cavaliers.

The Celtics started off the game hot against the Cavaliers in Game 1, but they were unable to keep it up. This team was outworked on the glass and could not prevent Cleveland from getting to the line, and that will need to change in Game 2. PG Isaiah Thomas (16.4 PPG, 4.2 APG) was one of the only players to show up offensively for Boston. Thomas played 32 minutes and finished with 22 points, 10 assists, five boards and a steal. He must continue to create offense for this team, as he is one of the few players who is capable of doing so. SG Evan Turner (9.5 PPG, 5.5 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG) had 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in Game 1. Turner was just 4-for-12 from the field though and he must be more efficient on Tuesday. PF Brandon Bass (10.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG) scored his usual 10 points against the Cavs in Game 1, but he only grabbed one rebound in 27 minutes of action. Bass will need to be way more aggressive on the glass or this team will struggle to stay close in Game 2. One guy who really made an impact for Boston was C Kelly Olynyk (10.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.0 SPG). The big man scored 12 points in 18 minutes and also blocked two shots. His ability to shoot from the outside (35% 3PT) spaces the floor for Boston, as the Cavaliers’ rim protectors are forced to come out and guard him at the three-point line.

The Cavaliers got off to a slow start in Game 1, but they turned things around quickly and controlled the game the rest of the way. PG Kyrie Irving (21.7 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG) was the best player on the floor for Cleveland on Sunday. He had 30 points in 41 minutes of action and hit a number of tough shots throughout the course of the game. He’ll need to play better defense on Isaiah Thomas on Tuesday. SF LeBron James (25.3 PPG, 7.4 APG, 6.0 RPG, 1.6 SPG) had 20 points, seven assists, six boards, two steals and a block in 42 minutes of action. James did not need to be too aggressive as a scorer because of Irving’s play, but he may need to be better in Game 2. He was settling for too many jump shots on Sunday and must attack the rim in this one. PF Kevin Love (16.4 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.2 APG) struggled early in the game for Cleveland, but he ended up with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes of action. Love settled down and ended up being a huge reason the Cavaliers won the battle on the glass. PF Tristan Thompson (8.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG) came off the bench and gave this team a big spark. He was the perfect change-of-pace at the power forward position, finishing with 12 points and six boards in 26 minutes of action. As long as he is being tough in the paint, Kevin Love should be able to be very well rested moving forward.