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Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics

Game 5; Tied 2-2

Total: 206 / BOS -1

Both teams have held serve at home through the first four games of this series.  That is a trend that the Cavaliers will need to buck here tonight if they want a chance to close out the Eastern Conference Finals at home instead of being on the brink of elimination.  Since Game 1 LeBron James has been a man on a mission, averaging 37.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers per game while shooting 59-percent from the field and 50-percent from three-point range.  The Celtics have yet to lose a home game this postseason and in this first two games of this series they outscored Cleveland by 38 points. Tonight Boston is a one point favorite with a game total of 206.

First Quarter Team Stats

Boston Celtics

  • The Celtics are 9-0 at home this postseason
  • Celtics are averaging 27.3-points during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason
  • Celtics are shooting 48.2-percent from the floor and 33.3-percent from three-point range during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason
  • Celtics is averaging 11.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.1 blocks during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason.
  • Celtics are averaging six three-point attempts during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason.
  • Celtics have a team defensive rating of 87.7 during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason.
  • In Boston, Celtic opponents are shooting just 41.4-percent from the floor and 26.4-percent from three-point range during the 1st quarter this postseason.

Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Cleveland is 3-4 on the road this postseason
  • They are 0-2 during series in Boston
  • During the 1st quarter of road games this postseason the Cavs are shooting 44.3-percent from the floor and 30.8-percent from three-point range.
  • Cavs are averaging 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 seals and 2.3 three-pointers during the 1st quarter of road games this postseason.
  • Cavs are averaging 7.4 three-point attempts during the 1st quarter of road games this postseason.
  • Cleveland is averaging 25.3 points during the 1st quarter of road games this postseason.
  • Cleveland has a defensive rating of 110.7 during the 1st quarter of road games this postseason.

 

Players to Watch

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum - Tatum is averaging 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists while shooting 47.8-percent from the floor.  After having a stretch of seven straight 20-point performances during the postseason, the Cavaliers have held Tatum under that mark in all four games. Tatum has also been held to an averaging of 11.5 shot attempts per game this series compared to the 15.6 shot attempts per game he averaged against the 76ers.  During the 1st quarter of playoff games this postseason Tatum is averaging just 4.4 points which is good for third on the team behind Jaylen Brown (7.1) and Al Horford (5.0) but he is shooting 50-percent from the floor.  A more aggressive Jayson Tatum could be necessary if Boston hopes to win Game 5.

Al Horford – Horford has really struggled over the last two games, averaging just 11 points and seven rebounds while shooting under 50-percent from the floor.  During the first two games of the series Horford averaged 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game.  Horford ranks second in 1st quarter team points this postseason when at home for the Celtics and an early start from Horford will mean good things for Boston.

Terry Rozier – Rozier registered a double-double in Game 4 but shot just 40-percent from the floor and 33-percent from three-point range.  Boston will really need him to be “Scary Terry” in Game 5 and not let George Hill out play him if the Celtics look get the win in Game 5.

Jaylen Brown – Brown has been the Celtics best player this postseason and that has been no different this series as he is averaging 20.3 points while shooting 47.7-percent from the floor and 45.5-percent from three-point range.  Brown leads the Celtics in 1st quarter home scoring this postseason and he should again be the teams leading scorer in this game if Boston is going to win.

 

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James - James is averaging 37.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 3.0 three-pointers per game while shooting 59-percent from the field and 50-percent from three-point range during this series against the Celtics since Game 1 when the Cavs were blown out and James received criticism for taking just 16 shots. Boston has no real answer for LBJ and they almost seem content on letting him get his production with the game plan to stop the secondary players from beating them.  I expect another huge game from LeBron tonight.

Kevin Love – Love is averaging 15.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per game this series against the Celtics.  Boston has done a good job at limiting his scoring but both he and Tristan Thompson continue to dominate the glass and that is where both are getting most of their points.  Love is shooting under 30-percent from three-point range in this series so I wouldn’t be counting on him from beyond-the-arc but if he does get hot from deep the Celtics will be in real trouble.

Everybody Else – This includes Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, George Hill and Tristan Thompson.  If the Cavaliers are going to leave Boston with a chance to close out the series back in Cleveland then they will need at least two of these four players to play like they did during the last two games.  Korver scored 14 points in both Games 3 and 4 while Thompson averaged 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.  Hill chipped in with 13 points in each contest while Smith averaged 10 points per game.

 

Pregame Props

1. The last made shot (FG or FT) of the 1st Quarter is a two-pointer?

Both teams have plenty of three-point shooters but I am going to go with YES as my answer here.  A final shot being a two-pointer just seems a bit more realistic and has been the case through the first four games.

2. The first made shot of the 1st quarter is a two-pointer?

I again am going to go with YES for this question. I am expecting Boston to win the tip and for Jaylen Brown to score the first two points for Boston on a drive to the lane.

3. Both teams combine to score 52 or more points during the 1st quarter.

The Celtics as a team have played some of the leagues best defense at home this postseason.  I expect that trend to continue here in Game 5 and therefore I am going with NO for my answer. As I said in the team stats above, Boston has a defensive rating of 87.7 during the 1st quarter of home games this postseason.

4. LeBron James scores 10 or more points in the 1st Quarter?

Yes, the Celtics have no real answer for James and in Game 2 we saw LeBron take 13 shots during the 1st quarter. I think he realizes that he will need to carry his team in this road game today and get off to big start.

5. Either team makes a three-pointer by the 10:00 mark?

I am going to go with a YES for this question.  Both teams are not shy about taking three-pointers and I expect both to at least attempt a three-pointer within the first two minutes of the game.

6. Which team wins the opening tip off?

Give me Al Horford or Aron Baynes to win the tip to begin this game against Tristan Thompson or Kevin Love depending on the lineup either team ends up sending to the floor to begin the game.