Well, that did not go well for Boston.
The Celtics were outclassed again in Cleveland. They actually managed to tie the game with 5:00 to go in the third. Then the Cavs just... outclassed them. Outran, outworked, out-gunned, out-manned them. It’s not that everything fell apart for the Celtics or that the effort wasn’t there. There was a lot of effort. But whatever the Cavs needed to do, spread the floor, grab the offensive board, block down low, run the floor, run the floor, run the floor.
The Celtics went 1-16 from the field during a 9:49 stretch between the 3rd and 4th quarters.
1 for 16. I don’t know what the odds are for you getting hit by a bus tomorrow, but I’m pretty sure they’re better than 1 for 16.
Meanwhile, the Cavs’ were their usual efficient self. What’s weird? The first half, LeBron James had six points on four shots. Everyone got in on the act in James’ place, Anthony Parker was hitting pull-up jumpers from 18 feet for God’s sake.
What’s most dangerous for the other teams in the league, the Cavs relied on every other Cavalier for 36 minutes, and then LeBron James just starting going to the rack over and over and over. The Celtics had no choice but to foul. James finished with 14 free throws in the second half.
If you can’t shut down his teammates, and you can’t shut him down, what are you going to do?
The answer the Celtics found today is: lose. Again.
Nate Robinson had 0 points on 0-3 shooting in eight minutes.