The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are tied for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and their Wednesday night showdown could determine which team takes the crown into the playoffs. But each side’s All-Star captains don’t seem too hyped about the pivotal matchup.
Cavaliers vs. Celtics is a big deal, no matter what LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas tell you
The winner of Wednesday’s game not only claims the East’s top seed, but sends a message to the other team.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James downplayed the significance of their upcoming game, calling it a “good test” for a Cavaliers team riding a three-game winning streak.
“I don’t know, I’ve played in a lot of big games,” James said on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I don’t ... I’m the last person to ask about a big game in the regular season. I’m sorry.”
Isaiah Thomas, Boston’s lone All-Star and the NBA’s third-leading scorer, echoed similar sentiments.
“It’s just another game,” Thomas said, via ESPN. “I think we’ve got to treat it like that. I mean, being No. 1 in the standings, you don’t feel different. I don’t, at least. I’m treating it like another game.”
The Cavaliers will be without Tristan Thompson (sprained thumb), and Jae Crowder (elbow) will be a game-time decision for the Celtics. But both teams, hobbled or not, should treat Wednesday’s game with greater magnitude than they’ve let on.
The winner is in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed
The winner of Wednesday’s game takes a one-game lead in the race for first place in the East, but that isn’t an assurance they’ll coast into the postseason with the top seed in tow.
The Cavaliers have a much tougher last five (at Boston, vs. Atlanta, at Atlanta, at Miami, vs. Toronto) than the Celtics (at Atlanta, at Charlotte, vs. Brooklyn, vs. Milwaukee), but James has proven he can win when it matters.
Boston is trailing 2-1 in the season series and will need a win to tie. A win will also tie the two teams in conference record (34-14), and the Celtics hold a decisive five-game advantage with a 10-5 divisional record.
Thomas should treat this like a statement game
A win on Wednesday can also serve as a statement game for the Celtics. James has downplayed the importance of the No. 1 seed since Boston snagged it in March, but the Celtics are threatening to end The King’s streak of six consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Brad Stevens’ group has improved as the season progressed. A win on Wednesday will prove to the Cavaliers that the Celtics aren’t a team to shrug off, regular season or playoffs.
But you have to think back to the All-Star break, where Boston was one piece away from pulling the trigger on a deal that could have landed Paul George or Jimmy Butler. They never did, and the Celtics’ roster still only has one All-Star with a deep supporting cast.
Boston executes well — it’s why they’ve tied Cleveland for the East’s best record — but they don’t have the star power to compete with the Cavaliers’ triplet of All-Stars. At least that’s what some think.
A win on Wednesday can help silence the doubters.
Not every Cavalier feels the same way LeBron does, and they shouldn’t
James may have shrugged off his team’s pivotal matchup against Boston, but his All-Star teammates didn’t. Kyrie Irving reportedly had a cheek-to-cheek grin when talking about the upcoming game.
“Can’t wait,” Irving said, according to ESPN. “It’s exciting. It’s exciting basketball -- 1-2, 2-1, whatever you want to call it. Whoever’s competing for first place, second place, so, it’s exciting. It’s just great competitive basketball, and I’m glad we get to see them in the regular season.
“I know they’re excited, as well. A lot of great players on the floor at one time, like I always say. But it’s great competition. See where we stand.”
Kevin Love feels Cleveland can use it to rally together for the playoffs.
“I think we need it,” Love said. “It will be good for us, and it’s definitely up there [with other big games], especially timing-wise. It will be a good test for us, and I think it will get us even more prepared, even more locked in, win or lose.”
They’re both right. Cleveland has won three straight games, but those were wins against Philadelphia, Indiana, and Orlando. Those are three teams that shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as the defending champions.
A win on Wednesday, without an injured Tristan Thompson, reminds Boston it’s not on the same level as Cleveland. It’ll further drive home the Celtics’ missed opportunity to acquire another All-Star at the trade deadline to sit with the Cavaliers at the champions’ table.
That message is sent loud and clear if Cleveland pummels the Celtics with its best player dismissing the importance of that very game.
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