Celtics Return the Favor, Hand Cavaliers Worst Home Playoff Loss Ever 120-88
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on May 11, 2010 10:17 PM CDT
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There are two sides to everything. We'll start with the positive.
The Celtics led the Orlando Magic 3-2 last season in the 2nd Round before losing Games 6 and 7 to lose the series. It propelled the Magic into the Eastern Conference Finals, where Orlando beat the Cavaliers in 6-games. The Cavs had swept through the first two rounds and had a big layoff as they waited for Game 1. If the Cavaliers are going to get back to the Conference Finals they will have to follow the same recipe.
That's about it.
Now for the negative. How about everything. The Cavaliers played well for the first 14 minutes tonight, leading 29-21 early in the 2nd Quarter. That's when everything changed. The Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 99-59 over the final 34 minutes en-route to an embarrassing defeat for the Cavaliers.
Something is wrong with LeBron James. Perhaps it is physical. Perhaps it is mental. Whatever it is, something is wrong. It seems James is almost refusing to attack. On several possessions during key parts of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, LeBron was actually backing away in the half-court as if to say I have no desire to handle the ball. Whatever it is, and we may not find out until after the season, if at all, there is something going on in the Cavaliers locker room.
MIke Brown continues to look clueless. That hurts to say because I am a supporter of Brown's. You can't deny the obvious, however. The Cavaliers won 61-games with a certain rotation, certain line-up, certain way of doing things. While you need to adjust, Brown went away from everything early on tonight and it appears to have cost the Cavaliers. LeBron starting the 2nd Quarter, nine players seeing action in the 1st Quarter, a baffling loyalty to Mo Williams despite yet another playoff series of Williams providing nothing on either end of the floor. In the end, it could cost Brown his job.
It is clear the playoffs are now in Mo Williams' head. Williams, to his credit, admitted how much he was affected by his performance against Orlando last season. Unfortunately for Williams, he has had the double-nightmare of Derek Rose and Rajon Rondo. It has clearly affected his play on offense and it is killing the Cavaliers.
So that's that with that. An embarrassing loss has the Cavaliers on the cusp of another disappointing playoff exit. Mike Brown said after the game that we'll learn a lot about the Cavaliers in Game 6. Something tells me things will never be the same after what happened tonight.
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That last line...
… isn’t that a bit premature m8? Looks like it can still go either way to be honest. As much as I hate saying this; I for one am still afraid of you guys :p
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
The Magic will avenge the fallen "King"
We wanted the honor of destroying the Cavs but the Celtics will do just fine
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
Last I heard you had to win 4 out of 7.
by johnnyphoenix on May 11, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Anyways, well that could’ve gone….better…and, like Forrest said, ’That’s all I have to say about that.’
Next.
Lots of trolls on here...
I wouldn’t nail the grave just yet. Yes, the Magic’s job was easier last year w/ no Garnett and a less formidable Rondo, but the Cavs could still pull it off. I am very surprised at Lebron’s play in this series, it just hasn’t been where he’s capable of very strange.
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The Magic were missing an allstar as well
and still beat the Celtics. No KG no Jameer Nelson I would call it even.
Me Against The World And I'm Winning
that too
The point being it can be done…I don’t think it will happen but these playoffs have been strange enough nothing would surprise me.
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ugly
The Celtics hit everything—When Rondo starts making 3’s, you know it’s going to be a long night. I suggest moving LeBron to the block and let him post up Pierce. That should open up the outside for our “absent” shooters as of now. The Cavs shot real well in game 3 and look how affected the Celtics. They did exactly what the Cavs did tonight when they were shooting well, settling for outside shots! Let’s see what the Cavs are made of Thursday night! It “might” be the end of the Cavs chances to win a championship for ANOTHER year! The King MUST take over from the start!
LeBron is the MVP of the Regular Season Only....
I tried to tell you all months ago…..
http://whybedumb.com/index.php/2010/01/dont-hand-the-cavs-anything-just-yet/
view from a Celtics fan
I feared the Cavs coming in, and still do. Lot of talent on the team. Younger than us.
But one thing I think about most of the “other” Cavs is that they are front runners. Deadly shooters when the Cavs are up. Don’t want the shot, or clutch the ball too tight when behind. Lots of people are like that.
I thought the key tonight was not to let the Cavs get the lead. If they got it, relaxed, then there would be trouble.
Your secret weapon is Delonte. Guy is crazy a little, but all heart. He should be defending Rondo.
Hope we win in 6. Game 7 would be super exciting, but I don’t need the excitement.
I don’t think it’s so much that the other Cavs are front-runners. Our entire offense is based around Lebron getting into the paint and making decisions. When he never even tries to get into the paint, nobody else knows what to do. Then you get Anthony Parker doing stupid things like trying to dribble, and it all goes to hell.
You guys arent out of it
To be quite honest the pressure is on Boston. Why? Because they know if they dont win game 6, they have to go back to Cleveland and risk LeBron having a historic game.
A desperate team is a scary one. The series will be decided in game 7
Let's go Cavs!!
Let’s go Cavs!! Its time to show up or go home. You are trailing the Celtics 3-2. What will you do? Will you handle the pressure, or fold? Will you cry and whine and make excuses, or will you take a hard look at yourselves and know that you have to fix a couple things if you want to win. You have to play as a TEAM!!! Every person has to play as a part of the team, and pass the ball and keep it moving, instead of one player dribbling 14 or more seconds off the clock. Show up, or go home. That’s all there is to it. I’m hoping you show up.
Sincerely,
Cavs fan
by Put the Ball in the Hoop! on May 11, 2010 11:19 PM CDT reply actions
Something tells me things will never be the same after what happened tonight.
You are so right, I agree 110%. No matter what happens from this point on, win or lose in Game 6, we won’t be the same after tonight.
If we win, and go on to take the series, we’d have all kinds of momentum, and perhaps be kicked into the mentality we’ve needed from the beginning, and maybe just maybe go on to win it all.
If we lose, well… we all know the potential repercussions of that.
Either way, this team will never be the same.
team
i think the cavs have a better collection of players than boston. but boston is the better team.
difference between last year against orlando and this year? kg instead of mikki moore
True. But let’s put that one to bed after they finish off the cavs, if they do. The cavs still have a very good team and the best player in basketball, so they might still have something to say about this series just yet.
by johnnyphoenix on May 12, 2010 2:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I’ll say it, an look foolish if I’m wrong, but I’m predicting a 7+ cavs win in boston and a down to the wire neck and neck fight to the finish in cleveland. Stranger things have happened.
by johnnyphoenix on May 12, 2010 2:49 AM CDT up reply actions
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