NBA Playoffs 2018: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1 live stream: Watch online

By Jason Patt | May 13, 2018

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half 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) /

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics get together for an Eastern Conference Finals rematch.

Last year, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers demolished the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. This year, LeBron’s Cavaliers will face Irving’s Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, only without Irving due to injury.

James will be playing in his eighth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals when the teams get together for Sunday afternoon’s Game 1. Some thought this may be the year he finally fell short thanks to a rocky regular season, but the Cavaliers are rounding into form after demolishing the top-seeded Toronto Raptors in four games.

LeBron has been at the top of his game in these playoffs. He’s averaging 34.3 points on 55.3 percent shooting to go along with 9.4 rebounds and nine assists per game. The Celtics do have a bunch of bodies they can throw at him, but even an army may not be enough to stop a King.

It will be even more difficult if James’ supporting cast shows up like it did against Toronto. After some struggles in the seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Love and the rest of the Cavaliers stepped up in the second round. Love especially enjoyed a significant turnaround outside of a rough Game 1 against the Raptors, going for 21 or more points in the last three games of the series. Cleveland also shot over 41 percent on 3-pointers after shooting just over 32 percent against Indiana.

While the Cavaliers have LeBron and are the favorite, the Celtics continue to prove that nobody should count them out after their impressive five-game series win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has home-court advantage and is still undefeated at TD Garden in these playoffs behind the outstanding play of Al Horford and the crew of talented youngsters. That Brad Stevens guy can also coach a bit.

Horford’s teams haven’t done well against LeBron in the past, and Big Al is going to have to be at the top of his game to flip that script. As will that crew of youngsters led by Jayson Tatum, Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown. Tatum has scored 20 points or more in seven straight games, while Rozier has been Kyrie Lite at home and Brown is getting healthy after his hamstring injury.

The Celtics will be without backup point guard Shane Larkin due to a shoulder injury.

Date: Sunday, May 13
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Venue: TD Garden
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: Watch live on FuboTV. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. Qualified subscribers can also watch on WatchESPN.

Next: All live stream info in one place

These young Celtics won’t back down from this LeBron challenge. Given Boston has been on fire at home in these playoffs, expect a competitive Game 1.

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