2018 NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 4

After losing the first two games of the series in Boston, the Cleveland Cavaliers are faced with the daunting task of rewriting history if they are to advance to their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance. That’s because the Boston Celtics are 37-0 all-time when leading a playoff series by 2-0.

With their back against the proverbial wall, Cleveland didn’t just need a win in Game 3 last Saturday, they needed to make a statement against the Celtics. Well, the Cavs did just that with a one-sided, wire to wire 30-point win in Game 3. The win didn’t just put Cleveland on board, it put them right back in the series.

In order to break Boston’s history, the Cavs must take it one game at a time. With Game 4 set at their home court again, Cleveland must take full advantage and come up with another victory to tie the series ar 2-2. If they do that, it’s going to be a brand new series. But if they don’t it may spell their doom.

Let’s take a look at the odds, our preview and pick for Game 4 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 4, 2018 Eastern Conference Finals
Odds: Celtics +330, Cavaliers -330

Better Job On Defense

After holding LeBron James down to a total of 11 points on 4-14 shooting in Games 1 and 2, Marcus Morris acknowledged that his defense on the King was a disaster in Game 3. King James scored 12 points on 4-6 shooting against Morris in Game 3. LeBron also averaged 1.5 points per play against Morris in Game 3 as compared to just 0.58 point per play in the first two games.

If Boston wants to win again, they have to limit James’ efficiency on offense. And when we say offense, we don’t just mean scoring because, in Game 2, King James didn’t score as much as we expected him to come off a loss. James ‘only’ scored 28 points in Game 2 but he had 12 assists and that’s what mattered more to Cleveland.

King Needs His Court Again

In as much as the Celtics have to stop LeBron from scoring, they must focus more on stopping him from getting his teammates going. Boston withstood a 40 point triple-double from LeBron in Game 2 but that was a game where only he and Korver got going. Give LeBron his 40 in Game 4, even 50 but don’t give him the chance to get George Hill, J.R. Smith and Kevin Love started.

After their Game 2 loss, J.R. Smith talked about how they should not let LeBron play hero ball in the playoffs. Smith then showed up in Game 3 after being non-existent in the first two games of the series. In Game 2, Boston’s starting backcourt outscored Cleveland’s starting guards 41-3. In Game 1, the difference was 31-9 in favor of the Celtics’ backcourt. But in Game 3, it was 24 vs 23 with Smith and George Hill winning the scoring battle by a point.

George Hill was aggressive from the start of Game 3. He had 11 points including three three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Smith had 11 including three three-pointers. Overall, Cleveland made 17 out of 34 three-pointers as compared to Boston’s 6 out of 22. Aside from their defense, it was a three-point shooting which broke the game wide open. If Cleveland is light out again in Game 4, Boston doesn’t stand a chance.

Where Was Al Horford?

Marcus Morris didn’t just fail to contain LeBron James in Game 3, he failed to show up too. In the first two games of the series in Boston, Morris averaged 16.5 points on 13 shot attempts per game. He only scored 9 points on 8 shots taken in Game 3. Boston takes pride in its balanced scoring and Marcus Morris is a big part of that. Morris must bring his A-Game back in Game 4.

But the big missing link for Boston in Game 3 was Big Al Horford. Horford has played like the all-star that he is in the current postseason and has been huge for the Celtics. But while he had 7 rebounds and 4 assists in Game 3, Horford only took four shots throughout Game 3 and finished with 7 points. It was the first time in the current postseason where Horford has failed to score in double digits and his 7 points and 4 field goal attempts are the fewest for him in the ongoing playoffs.

Coach Tyronn Lue did a good job of fielding in Tristan Thompson and Larry Nance Jr. to keep an eye on Horford. Instead of trying to go after Boston’s ball handlers, the Cavs stuck to Horford who is one of the best screeners in the game. Boston had 19 picks and roll plays with Horford involved in Game 3. He finished the play in only three instances with Boston getting a good shot in only one of those three instances.

Boston’s Road Struggles Continue

Credit the Cavs’ defense for giving Horford little room to operate. His inability to get it going in Game 3 stifled Boston’s offense. Big Al sets the tone for the Celtics. When he gets going inside the paint, his teammates get better looks from the three-point area and that’s when the likes of Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum start hitting their threes.

Jaylen Brown had scored at least 23 points in three straight games, but he was limited to just 10 points in Game 3. Rookie sensation Jayson Tatum, who leads Boston in scoring, was a non-factor at -11 despite scoring 18 points. Terry Rozier made only 1 three-pointer and was 5-12 from the floor.

As superb as the Celtics have been at their home court, they have struggled to win on the road in the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Boston is a perfect 9-0 in the current playoffs and they have done that with the high powered offense at home. Boston is averaging 110.1 points at the TD Garden but is just scoring 93.2 points per game on the road. They’ll need more than just that to beat the Cavs at the Quicken Loans Arena.

Momentum Has Shifted

Boston is 1-5 in the current postseason but they have not lost as soundly as they did in Game 3. The Cavs are riding high on the momentum of their Game 3 win and now honestly believe that they can win the series. With Game 4 also in Cleveland, expect the Cavs to come out with a lot of intensity.

It took Boston seven games to dispose of the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 1 and that may be the road this series takes. In Round 2, the Celtics easily ousted the Sixers 4-1 but the key to winning that series was breaking Philadelphia’s back in Game 3. Had Boston won Game 3, they would have taken the fight out of the Cavs. But not only did the Cavs win, they won big and now have regained their confidence back.

Every game of the current Conference Finals, both East and West, have been decided by double digits. No game has been more lopsided than both Game 3s. We’re not expecting the Celtics to lose by 30 points again, not on Brad Stevens’ watch. The guy is the king of adjustments and the Celtics will be back with their A-Game tonight.

But Cleveland has it going for them now. LeBron is still performing at peak level and his teammates have found their groove, just like they did against the Toronto Raptors. When this Cleveland team gets it going, they are a tough bunch to beat.

Jaylen Brown and Al Horford are due to bounce back but LeBron is just going to bully Marcus Morris and the Boston defense again. We still think that Boston wins the series but as far as Game 4 is concerned, the Cavs should win it and tie the series at two games apiece heading to Game 5. The Celtics should have a better game here but we’re picking the Cleveland Cavaliers to win Game 4 and tie the series 2-2.