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: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs 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) /

1. The Celtics have to make LeBron pass

It may seem odd to suggest that the Celtics need to work hard to make one of the best passers in NBA history do what he arguably does best. It doesn’t change the reality that Boston has to get the ball out of LeBron James’ hands to win this series.

If he was blessed with a better cast of surrounding teammates things might be different. The stark truth is that LeBron is surrounded by pretty mediocre talent overall. If you were drafting players from both teams you’d pick James first, but it might be a while before you took another Cavalier.

In the end, LeBron is going to get his points in this series. Boston just needs to make his scoring as inefficient as possible. The best way they can do that is by preventing him from driving the ball to the rim.

That means Boston will need to devise a defensive plan to force James to give the ball up before he can get his momentum headed towards the rim. It’s very possible that the Celtics will simply trap James when he gets the ball on the perimeter. That will leave a Cleveland shooter open, but it’s better to make someone else beat you than the best player on the planet.

Next: 5 keys to the Rockers - Warriors matchup

It’s not an easy thing to do, but Boston has to make someone else beat them in this series. Much of Brad Stevens’ attention must be aimed at forcing LeBron to give the ball up.

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