WALTHAM – When it comes to preparing to face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, there’s not a lot you can do to adequately prepare.
For the Boston Celtics, having faced Milwaukee and Philadelphia already in the playoffs has been a good prelude to now having to battle the Cavaliers for the right to advance to the NBA Finals.
Game 1 of their best-of-seven series will be Sunday afternoon at the TD Garden.
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Looking back on their first two playoff series against Milwaukee and Philadelphia, both the Bucks and Sixers have a difference-making playmaker with a power forward or super-sized small forward’s body.
But as important as it is to try and slow James down, you can’t allow those around him to have big nights.
“We’re going to try and slow down LeBron as much as we can but we can’t let those other guys be special,” Rozier said. “When those other guys are playing special, the Cavs are one of the toughest teams to beat in the NBA.
Boston’s Terry Rozier explains how games against the Bucks and Sixers provided a good opening act of sorts for what’s in store for them in this series led by James.
“Transition and rebounding, both teams love to do that, that we just faced,” Rozier said. “Milwaukee is similar to the Cavs. You got Giannis always trying to push the ball in comparison to LeBron. You got the shooters that you have to pay attention to. And playing against Philly, they like to flare on the weak side and stuff like that and always be active, keep you on your toes. So, both teams unique and they got us prepared for this one. It’s gonna be a great test for us, a great matchup. I feel we’re ready.”
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Boston’s Marcus Morris echoed similar sentiments, well aware that the Celtics will go into this series as expected underdogs despite being the higher seed.
“We’re coming,” Morris told NBC Sports Boston. “You would be a fool to count us out of anything.”