Cavaliers vs Celtics Game 5: Shipping to Boston for Best of Three
By SBD Staff Writer in NBA Basketball
Updated: January 5, 2023 at 3:34 am ESTPublished:
- LeBron James has yet another 40 point game in Game 4
- Jaylen Brown continues his baptism by fire
- Markus Morris is the latest “LeBron Stopper” to be myth busted
The Eastern Conference Finals heads back to the land of clam chowder for Game 5 (May 23 at 8:30 PM EST) as the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers in what has now become a best three series with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.
“I did a S–T job defensively against LeBron” – Markus Morris of the Celtics after Game 3
Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 Recap
LeBron James scored 44 points, bringing his total number of 30-plus-point playoff performances to within a single game of the all-time record (109) held by Michael Jordan, as the Cavs pulled even in Game 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQymmyIEwjo
The Cavs jumped out to a 19-point first quarter lead and never looked back. The often criticized Cavs supporting cast came out firing with Tristan Thompson, George Hill and Kyle Korver all scoring in double figures.
“If you shoot at a king you must kill him.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Celtics have not looked comfortable in the early going on the road in this series. But Jaylen Brown was aggressive all game long, and his attacking style kept the Celtics hanging around all game.
Unlike Game 3, Brown was able to stay on the floor as he continues to grow up on the biggest stage dropping 25 points in the loss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoB45AhuMz8
After the Celtics Game 1 win, Markus Morris was feeling like the big man on campus saying “I’m a little older, a little more experienced. Personally, I think I’m probably the best guy defending him (LBJ) in the league, outside of Kawhi.”
But he was a little less enthused with his efforts after Game 3 “I did a S–T job defensively against LeBron,” and I’d bet he felt pretty similar following Game 4.
Game 5 Prediction: Celtics are in Trouble
Boston had the Cavs up against the ropes and have simply not been ready to play in the first quarter of Games 3 and 4. By giving LeBron an inch, they have given the Cavs a mile.
The supporting cast have a new found confidence and are taking and making the open shots that are being created with their pick and role offense coupled with Brad Stevens obsession to switch off.
You have to give a tip of the cap to the Celtics for coming this far without their two best players in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. They have made some great strides as a franchise and allowed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to play valuable minutes down the stretch.
BUT, as Ralph Waldo Emerson taught us, “If you shoot at a king you must kill him.”
Cavs will steal game five on the road.
Tale of the Tape
| 102.8 | Points/Game | 103.3 |
| +1.1 | Avg Score Margin | +1.2 |
| 8.5 | Fastbreak Pts/Gm | 9.9 |
| 40.8 | Pts in Paint/Gm | 43.1 |
| 19.4 | Assists/Game | 21.4 |
| 40 | Total Rebounds/Gm | 42.1 |
Beer Banter
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| Odds Lebron Scores 30+ points in Game 5 | 1/1 |
| Odds Kyle Korver hits at least 3 three-point shots in Game 5 | 3/2 |
| Odds Jaylon Brown scores 20+ points in Game 5 | 1/2 |
| Odds Markus Morris has another viral quote after Game 5 | 3/1 |
Keep up with the most recent odds for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
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