Random dribbles on what's next for the Cavaliers, who put together a 101-93 road win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday:
1. When it comes to Kevin Love's dislocated left shoulder, we've already been subjected to too much analysis. We've read all the Twitter experts, we've listened to the voices on sports radio, we've watched all the theories take shape on TV. Don't believe any of it.
2. Want to know what we actually know about Love's injury at this very moment? Fine, I'll tell you. Here it is: Nothing.
3. Now, here is what we do know: The Cavs eliminated the Celtics with a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs, advancing to the East semifinals. They will face either Chicago or Milwaukee. The Cavs simply worked over the Celtics. When the Cavs weren't bored, it was No Contest City.
4. We also know the next opponent is most likely the Bulls, who hold a 3-1 series lead over the Bucks. Game 5 is Monday night in Chicago.
5. There's still more that we do know: If the Bulls win Monday, the series against the Cavs begins Saturday in Cleveland. No time has been set.
6. If the Bucks somehow pull off a miracle and win, the Bulls and Cavs series begins Monday, May 4. That holds true even if the Bucks and Bulls need a seventh and deciding game (they won't). No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit, and while I admire the young Bucks, they sure aren't gonna be the first team to do it.
7. Suggestion: If you're planning your days around Cavs playoff games, plan for Saturday.
8. OK, back to Love. I don't know if Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk yanked Love's shoulder out of the socket on purpose, as Love suggested. I'm not a doctor and I'm not a psychologist. I'm not qualified to judge a person's intentions. I will say, however, the fact Olynyk dodged reporters after the game leaves him open to suspicion.
9. Love, of course, did speak to reporters. He left the arena with his arm in a sling. Forty minutes after the final buzzer, he said the shoulder was feeling better. He added that he hopes to play in Game 1 of the East semis.
10. As I reported earlier, the Cavs are cautiously optimistic. But they are probably like the rest of the basketball-loving universe -- and merely remaining hopeful until the results of the MRI are revealed.
11. Recovery time for a dislocated shoulder is a tricky thing to predict. Cavs guard Iman Shumpert dislocated his shoulder earlier this season and missed just more than a month. But then-Orlando Magic forward Glen Davis dislocated his in a game in December 2013 -- and returned to play in the same game. Davis even set a pick in that game following the injury.
12. So whatever you're hearing, forget it. Just wait for the MRI.
13. Obviously, the Cavs want and will need Love for a series against the Bulls. (OK, OK. Or the Bucks.) But they also have a few things they feel can carry them until Love returns.
14. After all, the Cavs also have guys by the names of LeBron James (27 points, 10 rebounds in Game 4) and Kyrie Irving (24 and 11, respectively) -- not to mention home-court advantage in the next round.
14. I know, I know. Tristan Thompson is Kevin Love's replacement at power forward, and Thompson is strictly a low-post performer. He doesn't space the floor like Love. He doesn't finish like Love. But it's not the end of the world if Love misses two or three games. Nothing against the Bulls, but they're not the unstoppable force Cavs fans seem to think. They're very good. They don't have LeBron.
15. Of course, there's also the matter of Cavs guard J.R. Smith. He was called for a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected after backhanding Celtics forward Jae Crowder on Sunday. But a Flagrant 2 doesn't mean an automatic one-game suspension.
16. Everything is done via a point system. A Flagrant 2 foul is "two points." According to the NBA rule book, if a player's playoff point total exceeds three points, he will receive an automatic suspension the following game.
17. In other words, if Smith gets suspended, there's nothing "automatic" about it. The ruling on Smith's punishment will be determined by league officials, not the rule book.
18. So yeah, there's a chance Smith could just receive a hefty fine and still play in Game 1. It doesn't seem like a great chance, but one exists. NBA officials will review the play and make the final call.
19. So what do we know about Love, Smith and the Cavs? Again, not much. All we know is the Cavs haven't made it this far since 2009-10, and despite all the doomsayers, they're confident they can keep it going.
