Celtics-Cavaliers: Game One Not Exactly an Instant Classic

Following Boston's game seven win over Atlanta on Sunday, I thought that would be a game I would like to watch over and over.  But as for last night's series opener between the Celtics and the Cavs, not so much. 

This was the first playoff game I can recall in a long time where whichever team won was going to feel as if they stole a victory.

Cavs would have assumed they had no chance to win a game in which LeBron shot 2-18 and was a rebound and assist shy of pulling off a quadruple-double with 18 points, nine boards, nine assists, and 10 turnovers. 

The Cavs as a team shot 30.2 percent from the floor and 22.2 percent from three (4-18).  Add in the game being played in Boston, and this is a game Cleveland should have lost by double digits.  

However, Boston had its own problems. 

Despite being guarded for much of the game by defensive stalwart Wally Szcerbiak, Ray Allen failed to score a point on four field goal attempts.  Paul Pierce was only slightly better, going for four points on 2-14 shooting with six turnovers.  The Celtics shot 42.6 from the floor but only made four of 14 three's (28.6 percent).  

Told all of that before hand, I imagine each team would have agreed they had little chance to win under such circumstances.

Fortunately for the Celtics, they pulled out the victory 76-72, taking a 1-0 series lead and improving to 5-0 at home in the postseason.  

Despite the sluggish play from a few of the marquee players, some things went well for both teams.  For Cleveland, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and a number of big shots in the fourth quarter. 

It was Ilgauskas, not James, who scored Cleveland's final four points—a 20-foot jumper with 1:30 left to give Cleveland a 70-68 lead, and then a tip in with 40 seconds to play to tie the game at 72. 

For Boston, entering the game, many fans were concerned about how the Celtics would perform down the stretch in a close game.  The Cavs have LeBron, who can take over a game.  Who would do it for Boston?  Every Celtic fan loved seeing KG taking and making the big shots, at least for one night.

After Cleveland went ahead by two on Ilgauskas' jumper, KG didn't hesitate, knocking down his own 20-footer to tie the score with 1:16 left.  Then he put Boston ahead to stay 74-72, on a drive to the hoop with 0:21 seconds remaining.

KG finished with 28 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals.  Rajon Rondo was also big for Boston, in particular in the first half when he scored all of his 15 points.  He added five rebounds and six assists.  

The other key factor offensively for Boston was Sam Cassell.  It has been up and down in the postseason for Cassell, and the offense appears to bog down at times with him in the game. 

But Sam has leapfrogged Eddie House for backup point guard duties.  Sam isn't shy, and if he is going to play, he is going to shoot the ball.  Some nights it can be frustrating when he isn't knocking them down.  But last night he was 4-8 from the floor for 13 points, 10 coming in the fourth quarter. 

Cleveland coach Mike Brown alluded to the officials a few times in the postgame press conference.  Last night, the officials on both ends of the court let the teams play, which is an advantage for Boston. 

On a few occasions, the refs allowed some physical play to go without calling a foul that easily could have sent LeBron to the line.  How tightly the remaining games are officiated will be interesting to see as the series unfolds. 

I imagine Cleveland is feeling pretty good this morning, despite the loss.  LeBron played one of the worst games of his career, and yet, they only lost by four points.  Boston, on the other hand, could be thinking the same—Pierce and Ray Allen combined for only four more points than I scored and yet they still won.   

I thought Pierce was going to have to be the man on offense for Boston in order for the Celtics to win the series.  Last night, there were several key possessions where he wasn't even on the floor.  Having to guard LeBron all series may take away from Pierce's offense. 

I will already admit I was wrong, and for Boston, it is going to have to be the other guys who carry them.  KG, Rondo, Ray Allen, Posey, and Cassell will have to take and make big shots. 

Going forward, we know LeBron won't shoot 2-18 again. The question that will likely determine the winner for game two is which Boston players will raise the level of their game to try to match what is expected to come from LeBron.