Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Cavaliers, raptors
May 5, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a call during game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will LeBron James come back down to Earth in this series?

LeBron and Boston have played numerous times against each other in the playoffs. James has terrorized Boston in the last decade, singlehandedly blocking them from getting to the NBA Finals in Miami.

The best player in the world has been playing out of his mind in the last eight games, even for his standards. The King put the regular season on cruise control, even though he led the league in minutes per game. He showed up for the biggest games on the schedule, but his season was largely underrated by most in the NBA world.

Then the NBA postseason began and LeBron James continues to show that at Year 14, he’s still the best player on the planet and nobody’s even close. He’s scoring 34.4 points, grabbing 9.0 rebounds and dishing 7.1 assists per game. Oh, not to mention the 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. He’s shooting 56 percent from the field, 47 percent from 3-point range and 73 percent from the free-throw line.

Before the playoffs began, the Pacers thought Paul George could slow down LeBron in the first round. Nope. Then the Raptors went out and traded for P.J. Tucker to put the clamps on the King. Nope. Nobody in the Eastern Conference has figured out a formula to slow down this juggernaut and it sure as heck isn’t going to be this Boston team.

Marcus Smart? Great defender, not enough size. Avery Bradley? Definitely not enough size. Jaylen Brown? A rookie, are you kidding me!? Jae Crowder? Probably has the best chance to guard him, but LeBron probably doesn’t lose sleep over Crowder.

I guess LeBron just loves the Boston Celtics’ green, as his best scoring average comes against them. He averages 29.6 points in his 46 career games against the Celtics and that likely won’t drop any time soon.

Home/NBA Playoffs