5 things the Cavaliers needs to do to even their series with the Celtics

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – MAY 13: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts from the bench late in the fourth quarter in his teams loss to the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-83. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

5. Get J.R. Smith going

Like most of Cleveland’s perimeter players, J.R. Smith endured a really ugly shooting night in Game 1. The Cavaliers are going to struggle to score anytime Smith goes 2-for-9 from the field. He has to become a threat to stretch Boston’s defense moving forward.

In fairness, Smith has always been a bit of a feast-or-famine player. Even so, scoring just four points in 29 minutes is too little production for a player with his ability.

The real question is how can the Cavaliers get more out of Smith. To do that, Lue is going to have to empower Smith to become a more meaningful part of the offense. That will mean living with an occasional bad shot from the mercurial scoring guard.

This isn’t the safest plan for Lue and the Cavs, but fortune favors the bold come playoff time. If Cleveland wants to steal a game in Boston, they’re going to need a big night from J.R. Smith. He isn’t a perfect scoring guard, but he is one that can put up big points on the right night. The Cavs need Tuesday to be that sort of evening.

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