NBA Playoffs 2018: Schedule, Predictions, X-Factors for Monday's Round 2 Games
The Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors were dealt three deflating blows in a row to start their respective Eastern Conference semifinal series.
As Monday's pair of Game 4s approach, the Sixers and Raptors are playing for pride after the hope of advancing to the next round was snatched away.
Of course, the improbable could always happen, and one of the teams could make a charge to force a Game 7, but as of right now, all the focus is centered around staying alive to play one more game.
Philadelphia appears to have the better chance of avoiding a sweep since it's playing at home, while Toronto needs to scrap together a performance worthy of slowing down LeBron James.
In order to win the first games of their respective series, the Sixers and Raptors need role players to step up alongside the superstars to give themselves an opportunity to believe again.
Monday NBA Playoffs Schedule
All Times ET.
Game 4: Boston at Philadelphia (6 p.m., TNT)
Game 4: Toronto at Cleveland (8:30 p.m., TNT)
Predictions
Philadelphia Overcomes Mistakes, Beats Boston
The Sixers appeared to have the Celtics right where they wanted them in the last two games, but they weren't able to execute in late-game situations.
Whether it's the inexperience of the young players, or bad calls by head coach Brett Brown, or a combination of both, all the Sixers have to do to win Monday is perform better in the fourth quarter.
Regardless of who you think is to blame for Philadelphia's struggles, the pressure is on Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to shine side-by-side in Game 4 to avoid the humiliation of a sweep.
Although he improved on his one-point performance from Game 2 with 16 points in Game 3, Simmons still made some poor decisions at the end of the contest.
Embiid put in a solid day's work with 22 points and 19 rebounds in Game 3, but he was pulled away from the paint on the game-winning shot by Al Horford in overtime due to an excellent play call by Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
In order to avoid even being in a situation like that in Game 4, the Sixers need to control the tempo through Simmons and Embiid and force the Celtics to play their style of game.
If Philadelphia is able to get out in transition, and have its two stars shine the brightest alongside a few role players who knock down big shots, the series will be headed back to Boston.
There's no guarantee the Sixers win another game after Monday, but a win is necessary to show progress is being made on the fly and the young core is capable of making adjustments, a pair of attributes that will be needed in the coming years as the franchise develops into a consistent contender.
LeBron Puts Toronto out of Its Misery
In all honesty, the series between the Cavaliers and Raptors was over after Game 1.
Toronto fell apart in the fourth quarter and overtime while letting James and his teammates find a rhythm after a rough seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers.
As if losing two games on their home court wasn't enough to damage the morale of the Raptors, James finished off Game 3 with a tremendous buzzer-beating shot from the left side of the court.
James put together a complete stat line in Game 3 with 38 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Although Kyle Lowry and his supporting cast kept the Raptors in the game, DeMar DeRozan failed to make a lasting impact with eight points.
Even if DeRozan thrives in Game 4 alongside Lowry, there's no guarantee the Raptors find a way to beat the Cavaliers given the performances James put in over the last three games.
In addition to holding the best player on the floor on their roster, the Cavaliers benefited from more production out of Kevin Love, Kyle Korver and others.
If James' supporting cast gives him yet another boost in Game 4, one half of the Eastern Conference final is going to be set and another message will be sent to Boston and Philadelphia that the Cavs are not slowing down.
X-Factors
J.J. Redick
With the spotlight focused on Simmons and Embiid, J.J. Redick is the perfect player to step into a starring role in Game 4 to keep Boston out of the Eastern Conference final for two more days.
Redick was brought to Philadelphia to be the experienced three-point shooter on a roster full of young players still finding their way.
The former Duke star thrived in that role throughout the regular season, partly because he found space on the wings while the Sixers drove down the floor in transition.
Since holding on to momentum is going to be massive for the Sixers Monday, they must be able to knock down three-point shots in key situations.
If Simmons is able to press the Boston defense with his ability in transition, Redick should trail down the hardwood and find open space to sink momentum-changing three-pointers.
When the Sixers are in their half-court sets, the focus will be on Simmons either driving the hoop, or Embiid posting up looking for a mismatch.
If either of those happen on a consistent basis, the opportunities should be there for Redick to move around and receive an open look as defenders converge on the paint.
If that is the case, Redick should be able to fuel a second-half run that helps the Sixers avoid a fourth-quarter breakdown.
Jeff Green
As mentioned above, the Cavaliers supporting cast has been the X-factor against the Raptors, and that should continue Monday.
Jeff Green turned into a vital asset alongside James and Love in Game 1, as he produced 16 points. He followed that performance with 14 points off four three-pointers in Game 2.
Although his point total dropped to 11 in Game 3, Green still made the necessary impact to keep the Toronto defense off balance.
Green provides the Cavaliers with a scoring threat off the bench and another reliable option either in the paint, or on the three-point line, James can dish to if defenders crowd him while he's on the ball.
If one of the starters isn't able to contribute offensively, like J.R. Smith in Game 3, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue can turn to Green to produce key baskets.
That couldn't be said about Cleveland in the first round, as the supporting cast failed to challenge the Pacers over seven games.
If Green and others are able to continue threatening off the bench, the Cavaliers could easily make it back to the NBA Finals.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
Statistics obtained from NBA.com.
