NBA Playoffs 2018: 5 keys to Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 5: Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reviews materials before Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors on May 5, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. The Cavaliers must find a third scorer

It may seem odd that we’d question Cleveland’s offense given how prolific they were against the Raptors. The Cavs should find the Boston defense to be a much stiffer challenge than what Toronto threw at them. That means LeBron may not be able to dominate the offensive end of the floor quite as much.

If you assume Kevin Love can keep up his recent hot streak, it still leaves Cleveland short one scorer. In truth, they don’t need the same player to step up every night. We could easily see a different role player step up to be the third scorer during each game.

The obvious solution to this problem would be for the Cavs to get Kyle Korver going. He has a significant experience advantage over the young Celtics’ wings that will be guarding him. Look for Lue to run Korver off a ton of screens in an effort to get Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum confused. A couple good shooting nights from Korver could turn this series in Cleveland’s favor.

George Hill and J.R. Smith could also be keys for the Cleveland attack. Both will struggle to score consistently against Boston’s big guards, but it’s not out of the question they could get hot for a night or two. The bottom line is that Cleveland can’t ask James and Love to shoulder the scoring load by themselves. They will need a third star every night to compete with the balanced Boston attack.

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