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NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 big questions for Cavaliers vs. Celtics matchup

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) go for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 124-118. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) go for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 124-118. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Who are the x-factors in this series?

This series will likely be determined by the big boys on either team, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving for the Cavaliers and Isaiah Thomas for the Celtics. If the Celtics don’t get MVP-like Thomas during this series, they don’t have a snowball’s chance.

Regardless, there are players on both squads that can provide a serious edge for each team, making critical plays to swing ball-games for their team. Let’s take a look at the x-factors for the Celtics and Cavaliers.

Boston Celtics

For the No. 1 seed Celtics, their x-factor in this series will be their prized free-agent signing over the offseason. General Manager Danny Ainge wanted interior size for Boston and courted Al Horford during free agency. The 30-year old signed a four-year, $113 million contract to join the Celtics soon after. It’s about time we find out if Horford is worth all of that money. Can he produce when the lights are the brightest in the Eastern Conference Finals against the defending champions?

During the regular season, Horford averaged 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, but those numbers dipped to 9.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game against the Cavaliers. The ex-Atlanta Hawk needs to be better than he was in the regular season vs. Cleveland if Boston wants to have a legitimate chance in this series.

In the postseason, Horford has stepped up his game, especially in Games 5-7 against the Washington Wizards. The Celtics’ center was critical for their wins in Games 5 and 7 and kept them alive for a chance in win in Game 6. He averaged 18 points in those last three games to go with six rebounds per game. That’s what Ainge had envisioned for Horford and he’s going to need similar output in this series.

Cleveland Cavaliers

For the Cavaliers, their starting big-man, Tristan Thompson, will be a huge factor in this series. Not only will his play on the defensive end against Horford and switches on Thomas be critical, his play on the glass could swing this series.

“Double T,” as the Cavs’ players like to call him, brings rim protection and hustle on the glass. Cleveland will need every bit of that from Thompson to be as successful as they want. The ex-Texas Longhorn kills the Celtics on the glass, grabbing 12 rebounds per game during their four regular-season meetings, with nearly four of them on the offensive glass.

Those extra possessions are huge for the Cavaliers and also deflating for the Celtics, after playing a good defensive sequence. The Celtics don’t have anyone in double-figures for rebounding and it’s going to allow Cleveland to feast on the glass. Look for Thompson to be a big part of it.

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