The Cleveland Cavaliers (32:22) made a statement before Paul Pierce’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony and won 121:99 at the Boston Celtics (40-18). The numerous newcomers brought the desired missing elements into the game and profited from the overview of LeBron James, who could not be controlled by the goblins.
Cavs-newcomer George Hill started at the point guard position. In addition, Cedi Osman enjoyed his second consecutive takeoff on the grand piano, while Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. from the bank. Celtics also made a small change: Marcus Morris started for Aron Baynes.
In the early stages, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James fought several times in a duel. Uncle Drew was aggressively successful and put the TD Garden into ecstasy. However, the guests were not impressed by it and were also quickly in rhythm. After 7 minutes, however, LeBron collided with Baynes and left the parquet with a limp. In the King’s absence, Cleveland gave a small tour – 32:31 for Boston after 12 minutes.
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After a few minutes in the second quarter, LeBron returned. As a result, a exchange of blows developed, during which the Cavs won the upper water. Hood and Hill had their moments, too, and LeBron led his team to a ten-point lead with a wide threesome. Boston allowed themselves simple ball losses, which led to simple dunks on the other side. So Cleveland took a 64:52 lead into the cabin.
Few Possessions after the change of sides met J. R. Smith a difficult threesome – the Celtics seemed to be a bit frustrated. In addition, they left behind numerous open-minded threesomes, which they had played out with their dreaded Ball Movement. The Cavs were completely different: James took the Celtics Defense one after the other and found the open-minded man outside. Smith, Hood, Clarkson and Co. and expanded the lead. After the third quarter it was 95:74.
In the final section, the guests closed the bag quickly by hitting another threesome and not allowing the Celtics to score a point for 3 minutes. So the garbage time could start quickly.
James finished the evening with 24 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, Clarkson (17 points, 3/4 3FG) and Hood (15,3/6) convinced of the bank. Also J. R. Smith (15 points) and George Hill (12) had their moments. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving (18 points) was often on her own, only Terry Rozier (21 points) supported. Daniel Theis scored 4 points and 3 rebounds in 11 minutes.
The Cavs missed the Jersey Retirement Ceremony of Paul Pierce, who was honored in an emotional show after the game.
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LeBron James. The painful collision with Baynes had apparently made the King angry. His drives were irresistible. First of all on the board, he either looked for his own conclusion or played a precise kickout pass. His threesome also fell. And with his motivating body language, he ensured that the newly formed team already appeared as one unit.
Jaylen Brown. He tried a lot, but little succeeded. He discarded each of his 5 attempts and came to a total of 2/9 from the field. His transition to the Defense also left a lot to be desired.
The Cavaliers wanted to become faster and more athletic with their numerous moves. And this game gives hope that they have succeeded. After the numerous ball wins, it was not uncommon to see that all five Cleveland players on the floor took their feet and ran forward. So they kept coming back to outnumbered situations, which they played well. In the semi-field game, however, the Spacing was much better than last so that LeBron had room for his drives. Thanks to his overview he found the “new” shooters like Hood, Hill or Clarkson outside without much training.