Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) attempts a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
It took a few extra days, but the second round of the NBA Playoffs is finally set for the Boston Celtics. They’ll be facing the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in a series that’s familiar to fans—although it’s been six years since these two teams last met in the playoffs. The Cavaliers earned their spot by defeating the Orlando Magic in Game 7, despite falling behind by 18 points in their own arena. A big comeback sealed the 4-3 series win and sent the Cavs to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Game 1 against the Celtics is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at TD Garden in Boston. Here’s a look at the second-round schedule and a few things to keep in mind before the games start.
Injury Status
The Cavaliers have had their share of injuries, like many teams in the playoffs. Jarrett Allen, their big man, sustained a rib contusion in Game 4, keeping him out of the last three games of the first round. Although Allen tried to return, he couldn’t make it back to the court. Dean Wade has also been sidelined with a knee injury since early March, missing the entire first round.
The Celtics have their own injury concerns. Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss the entire second round with a foot injury. Although the Celtics have a deep roster, Allen’s absence could relieve some pressure on Boston.
Personnel Check
The Cavaliers have been steadily improving over the last two seasons, but this year they managed to advance past the first round for the first time since 2018. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are key contributors, but Donovan Mitchell is the player to watch. Mitchell averaged 28.3 points per game last season and was named to the All-NBA second team. This season, he averaged 26.6 points and 5.1 rebounds, but injuries limited him to just 55 games. Jarrett Allen, an All-Star big man, is another important piece for the Cavs.
Offensively, the Cavaliers ranked 16th in the regular season, but they were much stronger defensively, with a 7th-place finish in defensive rating. Besides Mobley and Allen, the Cavs rely on Caris LeVert and former Heat guard Max Strus for scoring. They also have some familiar faces for Celtics fans—big man Tristan Thompson and forward Marcus Morris.
Choosing Their Path
On the final day of the regular season, the Cavaliers had a chance to secure a higher playoff seed but chose to rest their key players, ending up with a 48-34 record and the No. 4 seed. While they might not have been planning to face the Celtics in the second round, that’s what they got. Now they’ll have to contend with one of the NBA’s top teams after opting for the No. 4 seed.
The Celtics won the regular season series against the Cavaliers 2-1. Cleveland pulled off a stunning 106-105 win without Mitchell during the final matchup, with Dean Wade leading a fourth-quarter comeback. Still, Boston will likely be the heavy favorites to move on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive year.
A Different Look
The Celtics and Cavaliers have a playoff history going back about 15 years, but there’s one major difference this time—LeBron James isn’t involved. When these teams faced off in 2008, 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2018, LeBron was a central figure, with the Cavs winning three of those five series. The Celtics did manage to win the championship in 2008, but LeBron got the better of Boston in the last three meetings, including the seven-game series win in 2018. Now, with James on the Lakers, the focus is on new stars and a fresh storyline as these teams face off in the second round.
