After a uncommon dud in opposition to the Knicks on Monday, the Celtics will look to bounce again once they host the Cavaliers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
It gained’t be simple, as Cleveland has gotten one of the best of Boston thus far this season. The Cavaliers gained, 132-123, in time beyond regulation, again in late October, then 114-13, once more in time beyond regulation, 5 days later.
Cleveland can win the regular-season collection with a victory Wednesday, and the Celtics may even the collection in the event that they win this recreation and beat the Cavaliers once more March 6.
There’s a reasonably first rate probability these groups will meet within the playoffs, and this recreation might find yourself having a playoff-like depth if each groups play to their potential.
Listed here are three issues to search for heading into Wednesday’s matchup:
Can anybody decelerate Donovan Mitchell?
Donovan Mitchell dropped 41 within the first assembly between the groups and added 25 within the second to steer the Cavaliers to tight wins.
He’s scored 40 or extra in two of his final six and 30 or extra in 4 of his final eight to maneuver into eighth within the NBA in scoring at 27.2 factors per recreation.
Mitchell is a tough matchup for any opponent, as a result of he has supreme pace however can be a bodily and tough-minded participant. The Celtics have the personnel to protect him, and Marcus Good has pretty much as good an opportunity as anybody to gradual him down, however it gained’t be simple.
He’s averaging 28.6 factors and capturing 50.6 % from the sphere and 41.8 % from 3 in wins. In losses, these numbers dip to 24.6 factors, 43.3 % from the sphere and 34.5 % from 3.
The Cavs are deep and gifted throughout, but when the Celtics can hold Mitchell in verify, they’ll put themselves in a great spot.
Does the chilly capturing proceed?
Nice groups have the flexibility to rapidly put one disappointing recreation behind them and never let it flip into two or extra.
The Celtics shot 9-of-42 (21.4 %) from 3, and out of doors of Al Horford, they have been 6-of-35 (17.1 %). That doubtless will not occur once more – no less than it shouldn’t – however can the Celtics return to kind in opposition to a workforce that permits the fewest factors per recreation within the NBA (106.5)?
The Cavaliers additionally enable the fewest 3-point makes an attempt within the NBA (30.8) and the third-fewest makes (11.4).
Additionally they enable the third-fewest factors within the paint (46), largely due to their elite rim protectors in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. However, they’re twenty fourth in opponent 3-point share (37).
So, when the Celtics get 3-point seems to be, they’ll must be environment friendly and knock them down at a fairly excessive clip. Ball motion and making the additional go are all the time necessary, however they’ll be significantly crucial on this recreation.
Does Al Horford have one other traditional evening?
Horford has scored in double figures in 4 of the Celtics final 5 video games and is taking part in a few of his finest basketball of the season.
Horford has taken precisely 9 photographs in every of these 4 video games, and he’s hit both 4 or 5 of them every time. He doesn’t drive something and infrequently saves his finest moments for the tip of a good, back-and-forth battle like he did in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.
He’s key each evening, however he’s particularly necessary in opposition to a workforce just like the Cavaliers. Horford has the flexibility to convey Mobley and Allen away from the basket and play on the perimeter on offense, then chase them round and bang down low on protection.
Horford’s spacing makes life tough for different groups, and his versatility provides Jayson Tatum, Malcolm Brogdon and co. extra room to function at and close to the rim.
The 76ers principally left him huge open, and Horford constantly made them pay. Do the Cavaliers have the flexibility to rotate and shut out on these Horford 3’s?
Presumably, however it’ll be tough. Groups are sometimes compelled to select their poison, and Horford is incessantly the beneficiary.
He has an opportunity for an additional large efficiency Wednesday evening. Who is aware of? Possibly he’ll get wild and try double-digit photographs for the primary time in over a month.
