Celtics Will Close Out the Cavaliers in Game 6
Now Cavs fans must hold on to sanity—at least until Thursday’s Game 6 against the Boston Celtics.
Boston’s 30-point win at Quicken Loans Arena looked more like the recently concluded Orlando Magic versus Atlanta Hawks series. With the home team looking like the passionless Hawks.
LeBron’s inability to impact the game shocked the basketball world. Boston, a team full of savvy veterans, took advantage of a team that looked lost, outclassed and unprepared for such an important game.
The fact Mo Williams and Antwan Jamison provided LeBron no support at this point in the series, surprises few if any fans. Both players failed to play anywhere near the level needed on either end of the court.
The fact that LeBron went 3-19 from the field, only made the loss worse.
Now, LeBron receives the opportunity to truly cement his legend in NBA lore. It begins with Game 6 at the TD Bank Garden. Win there, and he gets the chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in this series.
It would give him a nationally televised Sunday Game 7 at home in Cleveland. He would trump his biggest rival, Dwight Howard’s win over the Celtics in last season’s Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Unfortunately, a team who quits in a Game 5 rarely gets the privilege to play in a Game 7. Basketball karma must surely punish such a good team who fails to give any effort. The Celtics will close out the series in Boston.
Once again, the Cavs had no answer for the Celtics. A six-point half-time deficit grew to 17 points by the end of the third quarter. The Big Three returned to their usual roles in leading the Celtics to an important win.
Ray Allen led the Celtics with 25 points, which included 6-9 shooting from three-point range—torching Mo Williams early.
Paul Pierce found an early rhythm. LeBron covering Rondo produced little benefit to the Cavs. Pierce took the new found freedom and came up with 21 points and 11 rebounds—10 defensive.
Kevin Garnett took advantage of Jamison on every possible occasion. Garnett continually punished the Cavs with his mid-range turn-around jumper from the baseline and wing.
Tony Allen and Glen Davis outplayed the Cavaliers bench when it counted. Davis played well offensively scoring 15 points in 20 minutes of play.
Shaq provided the only positive from the loss for the Cavs. Shaq found points with his post-game in the paint, leading all Cavs scorers with 21 points on 7-11 shooting.
We have no explanation for the Celtics melt-down in Game 3. The reasons the Cavs lost their second straight game in the series makes plenty of sense. Outside of Anthony Parker, and potentially Shaquille O’Neal, James has no help.
Most ominous may be LeBron’s apparent inability to lift his game or his team’s play. The lack of passion in James’ during his post-game press conference makes everyone wonder. My guess would be the elbow problem effects the King more than he has told us.
All that said, the Celtics clearly belong in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
After Thursday, LeBron will have time sort out the elbow, free agency and other issues surrounding the off-season. For now, it will be another season of disappointment for the city of Cleveland.
Celtics win by 14 points.
