The Boston Celtics put a hurting on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup, cruising to a 108-83 win Sunday. Boston doubled up the Cavs in the first quarter, 36-18, and never looked back.
It was such a convincing win that the Cavs are looking for an answer heading into Game 2. If they don't change anything, it seems like this could finally be the series in which a balanced team bests LeBron James.
Coach Tyronn Lue may look to center Tristan Thompson as his attempted solution, with the particular hope that Thompson could shut down Al Horford.
Tyronn Lue all but revealed that the Cavs will start Tristan Thompson in Game 2. He says they are “weighing it” but also cited advanced analytics that show just how well Thompson has guarded Al Horford over the years.
Horford was dominant Sunday, scoring 20 points and adding six rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes. Thompson didn't start, but he played 21 minutes off the bench. He scored eight points and added 11 rebounds.
Thompson has provided a spark in the playoffs previously—most notably in Game 7 against Indiana (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Game 1 against his hometown Toronto Raptors (14 points, 12 boards). He has started only one game in the postseason (Game 6 in the first round), however, and Indiana crushed the Cavs in that affair.
Lue's go-to starting lineup has been James, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love, George Hill, and Kyle Korver. Game 2 is set for Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
