Cavaliers strike first, rally for 101-93 win over Celtics in Game 1
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on May 1, 2010 9:51 PM CDT
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PrintIt took 24 minutes, but the Cavaliers got some of their mojo back. After getting out-hustled, out-worked and out-fought in the first half tonight, the Cavaliers came back from an 11-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 101-93. LeBron James scored 35, while a Mo Williams dunk - part of a 16 point 2nd half outburst, propelled the Cavaliers to a huge Game 1 win.
How big was it? In Best-of-7 series, the Cavaliers are 8-0 when they win Game 1. Give the type of effort for the next 3 games that the Wine and Gold gave the 2nd half tonight and it could just be 9-0.
Use this thread to give your thoughts on the game. There will certainly be more to come.
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Mo’s dunk was the turning point, he got hot after that and we didn’t look back.
Boston is a good team, but they’re simple. Once you figure out how to control Rondo you’ll beat them, and we did that in the 2nd half. They also rely on Pierce too much down the stretch, and if he isn’t on fire they struggle.
Also, the more minutes Rasheed gets the happier i am. All season he was talking about how he’ll turn it on when it counts. Well now it counts, and he’s just as bad. When he had the ball it felt like he was our 6th man. The celtics made themselves a worse team by signing him.
Well, I think we all knew we were in for a roller coaster this series, and we got it.
As poorly and out of sync defensively as the Cavs looked up until halftime…IMO the Celtics just played outstanding ball that first half, no two ways about it. I think maybe 1 game might be decided by a large margin either way as sort of a fluke, but they are not going to go away playing like that, and we’ll see it again.
Big thing was Rondo getting into foul trouble mid 3rd…after that they got little penetration and thus less open looks, and allowed us to pick up the pace and run the floor a lot more.
(I thought the officiating was very poor for both sides overall. They obviously wanted to make a statement about keeping things under control this series, which is fine, but I feel like it just got out-of-hand at times with the ticky-tak stuff)
buuuuuh! --mooncamping
I understand being frustrated with Mo during stretches, but I do not for a second understand – even in the heat of a game – the lunacy of wondering “what Boobie can do.” C’mon, John, have you watched a game this season? That’s weak.
Antawn struggles on D, but with Garnett at this point in his career, we probably have to live with that. Second half game plan was much stronger on Rondo.
And I’ve been waiting six playoff games to see Varejao pull down some offensive rebounds in clutch spots. Finally happened in the fourth quarter. We need a lot more of that.
I must have missed it…who was asking for Boobie?
buuuuuh! --mooncamping
by johnnyphoenix on May 1, 2010 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions
It was in the game thread last night, johnny.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 2, 2010 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed, Evan. I’ve never been a believer in Mo, but he’s starting to show me why I should be.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 1, 2010 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions
He still gotta be consistent with it…he doesn’t have to score 20 a night, but I’d like to see at least 12-14 from Mo every game. Anyways, it was ‘his’ and Rondo’s ‘night,’ and I wish he was getting more press about it than just a mention below Lebron’s 35 points. LBJ is LBJ of course, but aside from the dagger 3 at the end, didn’t that seem like the quietest 35 pts.? Odd.
buuuuuh! --mooncamping
by johnnyphoenix on May 2, 2010 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions
How many games do you not see 12-14 from Mo? In six postseason games, Mo’s numbers are almost exactly the same as his regular season numbers, but with a half point more in scoring. His point totals have been 19, 12, 21, 19, 7, 20. Mo is obviously not a perfect player, but we know what we’re getting from him, and this postseason he’s been strong.
People rightfully dogged him after his poor postseason last year. But apart from game 5 in the first round, he’s been enormous for us. He doesn’t have to be the main guy, but he creates space with his range and check out his assist column.
Not to be cliche, but I really do think having Jamison as the second option has really taken a lot of pressure off of Mo.
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on May 2, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
That was a decent game. I have to credit Lebron and Mo for stepping up second half. But don’t get too comfortable yet Cav fans. It’s only game 1 and on home court too. A series is never over until a home team loses. Maybe I’m just thinking wishfully. Good job stepping up the defense second half as well as defensive adjustments to keep up with Rondo – who teared it up for half – and of course good job hitting the clutch shots. Part of the loss is on us and our inability to run offensively and get any fluidity in our game without Rondo. And Sheed was… Sheed. Good competition, and I look forward to game 2.
"Too much coffee. Too much coffee and Gatorade. It's a hell of a mix. If you're ever tired in the morning, just try that mix, and tell me what you think."
- Kevin Garnett
It was a good game. No one’s comfortable after that first half display of how the Celtics are capable of playing. Garnett was hitting jump shots and was active on the glass, Rondo was all over the place basically abusing Mo (He hit about 3 ridiculously contested layups with a waaay high kiss off the glass) and getting Ray Ray open looks …which he was hitting.
It’s gonna be a loooong, tough series, which I don’t think any cavs or celtics fan disputed.
buuuuuh! --mooncamping
by johnnyphoenix on May 1, 2010 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
ummm…
A series is never over until a home team loses.
7 game series. 4 games in Cleveland. 3 in Boston. Ergo, if each team holds serve on their home court (by not losing at home) the series can end without either home team losing at home.
I’m sorry; I meant to rephrase that as the first 2 games at home for the team without home court advantage is crucial, as if they take those two games series will be tied at 2-2.
"Too much coffee. Too much coffee and Gatorade. It's a hell of a mix. If you're ever tired in the morning, just try that mix, and tell me what you think."
- Kevin Garnett
by Celtics_Green on May 2, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't even blame it on Sheed
and Doc and Rondo had to know adjustments would be made. Paul lost it for you guys. Missing the wide open shots in the 4th? I think the stat I heard was that he missed his last 11 of 12 shots.
KG can have his 18 points. But the mismatches the Cavs created on your other bigs is and will continue to be a huge advantage.
i heard that Lebron got an injection to his elbow at halftime...
so what kind of injection is it? how long does it last? i suspect he will get an injection for the rest of the playoffs.
If Pierce plays like garbage...
like he did in Game 1 the celtics have no chance. For as good as Pierce claims he is Lebron with a messed up elbow is a million times better. They slowed down rondo for most of the second half and that’s a big factor also. But the only way boston wins anything is if Pierce decides too play which he won’t be a factor in my opinion. As for the hard Shaq foul it was just that rondo took it hard to the hole and Shaq stood there with his hands up and rondo got laid out. You think your gonna run over Shaq uh not so much especially rondo weighin about 170! So i see the Cavs taking it in 5 if they play like they did in the second half…
FWIW...pierce's foul trouble took him out of the game on offense mentally..
by celticinorlando on May 2, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
This game came down to foul trouble vs depth. The Cavs, as stagnant as they were in the first half, did manage to get Rondo, Davis, Perkins, and Pierce in a bit of foul trouble. This caused them to play a bit more on eggshells in the second half. No if ands or buts about that. When the Celtics get in foul trouble, the Cavs best advantge (outside of having LBJ) shows, depth. The Celtics just don’t have the depth for 7 games in this series if their top 6 get in foul trouble. The Cavs have 24 fouls to give at center vs most teams at 12. If the Cavs can manage to get the Celtics in foul trouble in the first half, this is how every game will go.
As for the refs, sure they blew a few, they always do. Shaq’s foul on Rondo was not flagrant, it would’ve been a charge if he would’ve stayed on his feet. LeBron getting Pierce to break his ankle late in the 4th was probably a 50/50 call. LeBron gets the call because he’s been abusing Pierce all game. Pierce, instead of doing what he should’ve done, bounce up off the floor and get back in the game, laid on the floor, got up and started whining to the refs. When you’re playing like crap ,you’re not going to get the calls. There were a few times I was suprised I didn’t hear a whistle, but most of the time the Celtics got a second and even a third chance with the ball, so it evened out.
The one thing that worries me about the Cavs is foul shooting. They suck. It could cost them a game at some point. Other than that, as long as they aren’t lethargic like they were in the first half, they should be ok. Depth depth depth, that’s the advantage, that and LBJ!
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