The first round matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the last postseason may have set the precedent for how these two teams see each other moving forward. The Cavs did sweep the Celtics, but the boys from Beantown weren’t short of feistiness.
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In fact, as we all know, the series clinching game in Boston’s arena had its own color, with Kevin Love, Kelly Olynyk, J.R. Smith, Jae Crowder, and then-Cavalier Kendrick Perkins all being involved in unnecessary physicalities at some point in the game, with Love, unfortunately, being on the receiving end.
Three games into the 2015-2016 campaign and Cleveland holds a 2-1 season series edge over Boston. This could have easily been 3-0 barring a phantom foul on J.R. Smith towards the end of their second matchup. But despite the lone, albeit questionable, win, Boston has accomplished something that could very well pay dividends in the long run.
Tyronn Lue says Celtics are the most physical team #Cavs have played this season. These two could very well meet in postseason again.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 6, 2016
Imagine Matthew Dellavedova hounding opponents with his in-your-face type of defense. That is most probably how the Celtics are right now to the Cavaliers. The young Boston squad led by tough-as-nail players like Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and Avery Bradley have already made a distinct mark for themselves within the Cavaliers’ minds.
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With the Cavs still trying to find an enforcer of their own, the genius in Celtics coach Brad Stevens may capitalize on this questionable aspect of Cleveland’s game. And their next meeting could possibly be in the Eastern Conference semifinals or finals.
