(2) CELTICS V. (4) CAVS

GAME 1 - EAST FINALS

CLE 83 @ BOS 108!

What an opening statement by the Boston Celtics. Game 1 was no contest - the C's cruised to a relatively easy 25-pt. victory over LeBron James & the Cavs.

Boston came out firing in the first period, going on a 19-2 run to capture an early 20-pt. advantage. Jaylen Brown scored 18 of his 23 pts in the 1st half - by then, the C's had already built a 61-35 lead. Marcus Morris, newly inserted in Brad Stevens's starting five also helped set the tone w/ physical play & (tough) shot-making: finished w/ 21 & 10 boards.

Their defensive rotations were on point all night - Cavs scored just 83 pts as a team + LeBron suffered one of his worst nights of the postseason (15 pts, 7 TOs). 

Is it fool's gold? Did the Celtics simply do what they were "supposed" to do? Not exactly.

Winning & taking care of home court is one thing, completely dominating your counterpart in a Game 1 (after plenty of rest) is another. It isn't like Boston exposed any systematic weaknesses for Cleveland - they're just balanced, far more athletic & have a firm, defensive framework built on multiple rotations & discipline. 

For the Cavs to have better success, attackers like George Hill need to take pressure off LeBron & help create scoring opportunities for shooters. 

Adjustments better come quick in Game 2. Otherwise, Cleveland could be staring down the barrel of an 0-2 hole.