National Basketball Association

Tuesday's best: LeBron, Cavs just too good; Wall leads Wizards

Published Apr. 22, 2015 2:58 a.m. ET

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Best game: Cleveland 99, Boston 91

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a better basketball team than the Boston Celtics. They have the three most talented players in the series (sorry, Isaiah Thomas), and deploy an offense that scores points in bunches. 

Possession after possession, Boston fights for everything. But in Game 2 it wasn't enough as the Cavs claimed a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven, first-round series. Between LeBron James (more on him later) doing as he pleased with the ball and Kyrie Irving getting to the rim and seemingly draining every shot that left his fingertips, Cleveland was just too much over a 48-minute span. 

Game 3 is Thursday night. 

Best stat line: James, SF, Cleveland

King James scored 30 points (11 of 22 from the field) to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. He set teammates up all night long, finding open shooters behind the 3-point line and getting into the paint at will.

The Celtics spent the first half double-teaming James whenever he posted up below the free-throw line, and he was fine moving the ball and settling for jumpers. As the game went on, James reminded us all why he's the best player in the world, killing Boston on drives to the basket. He was unstoppable.

Best pass off a teammate's head: James off Tristan Thompson

As was just alluded to, James is the best player on Earth, which means he doesn't make mistakes. Plays like this are all part of his master plan. What a genius. 

Best at being worst: J.R. Smith, G, Cleveland

It feels like the Celtics have had Smith's number since he was suspended for elbowing Jason Terry during the 2013 playoffs. He scored just seven points (3-of-12 shooting), missing 7 of 8 from behind the 3-point line, most of them wide open as Boston was focused on stopping drives by James and Irving.

This game would've been a double-digit blowout if Smith could only hit the shots that are expected of him. 

Best pass between casual acquaintances in NBA history: James to Kevin Love, F, Cleveland

"It surprised all of us the way he finished," James said.

Best nutmeg: Isaiah Thomas, G, Boston

The Cavaliers weren't the only team showing off during Game 2. Little Thomas was a killer, scoring 22 points (on 10-for-10 shooting from the free-throw line) and dishing out seven assists. 

He also did this.

Best point guard performance: John Wall, Washington

Wall had the Washington Wizards looking good enough to spoil the Eastern Conference Finals. In 40 minutes, he scored 26 points (8-of-11 FGs) and delivered 17 assists, leading Washington to a 117-106 victory over the higher-seeded Toronto Raptors. 

Wall did everything. He was lightning. The Wizards are up 2-0 in this playoff series because he's better than everyone else. This was a fantastic night for him.

Best halftime interview: Bradley Beal, G, Washington

Wall's backcourt partner had a fine performance as well, scoring a game-high 28 points. Even more impressive was his all-business demeanor at halftime. 

Nobody mess with Brad Beal.

Best block: Wall

This sequence wasn't fair. Wall swatted Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams on one end, then sprinted the other way and converted a nifty and-one layup.

Again, if you missed it before, this guy was unstoppable.

Best technical foul: Rajon Rondo, G, Dallas

Just taking a brief glance at the box score, one would assume Rondo injured himself. Ten minutes, four points, four fouls, two rebounds and one assist. 

Rondo did not suffer an injury, but his night was still extremely ugly. On a night the banged-up Dallas Mavericks absolutely needed him to be at his best, Rondo foolishly picked up this technical foul trying to kick the ball away from James Harden.

It was the last thing Rondo did in the Mavs' 111-99 loss, which dropped them in a 2-0 hole against the higher-seeded Rockets. 

Best job ignoring your coach during a timeout: Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas

The best player in Mavericks franchise history is above the law, and nobody within the organization would call him out. 

Best surprise: Josh Smith, F, Houston

During the fourth quarter, Smith tossed me a pass and I dunked it. That didn’t actually happen, but Smith fed just about every one of his teammates with a lob at the rim. He finished with 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. It was mesmerizing.

Dwight Howard delivered a vintage performance, too, dunking everything in sight. He scored 28 points and grabbed 12 boards, missing only three of his 11 free-throw attempts.

Follow Michal Pina on Twitter @MichaelVPina

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