The Celtics trucked the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and somehow it’s the Raptors’ fault. Here are five potential explanations.
LeBron and the Cavaliers got trucked by the Celtics. Blame the Raptors.
We have that and more in Monday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
1. The Raptors were so underwhelming against the Cavaliers in the second round that they lulled Cleveland into a false sense of security about the state of the East, one Boston exploited Sunday.
2. The Raptors were contagious and Cleveland contracted their particular brand of disappointment.
3. The Cavaliers got whatever they wanted against the Raptors most of that four-game series, and so they’ve turned a bit reliant on the easy moves and are out of practice working hard for buckets.
4. LeBron James wanted to torture the Raptors. Having done so, he lacks motivation in this series.
5. The Raptors’ surreal Game 1 collapse made Cleveland think it could come back from any deficit. They cannot.
Stop ruining everything for us, Raptors. You’ve done enough.
Sunday’s Score
Celtics 108, Cavaliers 83
Boston leads 1-0
Recaps: CelticsBlog | Fear The Sword
Monday’s Schedule
Warriors at Rockets, 9 p.m. ET, TNT
Series tied 0-0
Links Galore
That was LeBron’s worst game of the postseason ... easily. Fifteen points on 16 shots, seven turnovers, a game-worst minus-32. Marcus Morris claimed he could stop LeBron, and he backed it up. For one day, at least.
Perhaps the most impressive moment of the day, though, was when during his post-game press conference LeBron perfectly recalled, play for play, like a 2-minute stretch he was asked about. It almost felt like he was letting us into his brain for a second.
Shout out to George Hill getting his degree the same weekend he started in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Here’s a big Marc Stein piece on Jerry West, who is trying to help the Clippers be relevant and encouraged the Blake Griffin trade.
That’s it for Monday. Be excellent to each other.
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