CLEVELAND -- Random dribbles from the Cavaliers' 99-91 win over the visiting Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series:
1. In Game 1, the Celtics were determined to double-team LeBron James. They were content to let someone else try to beat them. It was a wise move by Celtics coach Brad Stevens. None of the Cavs' starters besides LeBron has won big in the playoffs.
2. But that backfired, as Kyrie Irving slashed and splashed his way through his first playoff game -- scoring 30 points and just generally having his way with the Boston backcourt. James, on the other hand, was "held" to 20.
3. So in Game 2, the Celtics put more emphasis on Irving and only double-teamed LeBron when he went to the low post. That too worked at first. Irving hadn't even attempted a shot as the Celtics built a 16-8 lead.
4. But that strategy also fell apart quickly. James scored 30, including 15 in the fourth quarter. For large stretches of the most important time of the night, James only faced a single defender. "He didn't go into the post," Stevens explained. Instead, James sort of floated around the perimeter, handling the ball and basically taking anyone who tried to check him straight to the basket.
5. Worse for the Celtics, despite containing Irving early, he still finished with 26 points himself.
6. Moral of the story: The Celtics are scrapping. Man, are they scrapping. And man, is little reserve point guard Isaiah Thomas (22 points) really good. He's been really good for a while now, but the world tends to pay closer attention when LeBron James is involved in the game. And the world is finding out about Thomas, Stevens and a group of Celtics that is likely to give you nightmares someday.
7. Stevens on LeBron and Kyrie: "I thought we challenged Kyrie a little bit better. He's a hard one because he gets fouled on some of those jump shots. That's tough. But he's a really explosive ball handler and scorer. And when LeBron just puts his shoulder down and wants to get where he wants to go, it's hard to stop him from getting there."
8. Stevens summed it up perfectly by saying that, because of the greatness of James and Irving, "every issue we're having is magnified."
9. That about covers it. And welcome to the NBA, where star power overtakes youth and determination nearly every time. That will ultimately be the case in this series -- whether it takes the Cavs four or seven games really is beside the point.
10. This was a weird night all the way around, as the Cavs seemed to take control with a 32-9 scoring run in the second half. It felt more like 132-9, as the spurt featured a monster dunk apiece from Kevin Love and James. Love's was of the reverse-jam variety off a James lob pass. James' was even more forceful, and came off an alley-oop from Irving.
11. But these Celtics, man, these Celtics. They put their heads down, hustled back in it, and proved no matter what happens, they will go down with dignity. Besides Thomas, former Ohio State stars Jared Sullinger (14 points) and Evan Turner (nine points, 12 rebounds) are among those who have displayed a great deal of guts. It's admirable, and frankly, it's keeping the Cavs from being overly sharp or dominant.
12. Another example it was a strange night? How about the fantastic effort put forth by Cavs reserve Tristan Thompson? He didn't take a shot, or a free throw,or score a point or commit a foul. But he collected 11 rebounds, including a couple of biggies near the end. "Not often a guy (doesn't take a shot) and makes that big of an impact," said Cavs coach David Blatt.
13. The Cavs also received a strong night from Timofey Mozgov, who scored 16 points and swatted a whopping five shots. They needed it after Kevin Love (13 points, 3-of-8 shooting) fell into early foul trouble.
14. Blatt on Mozgov: "Timo was really engaged. He was active. He scored when he had his chances and he played a very high-level playoff game."
15. Of course, one reason these games are closer than expected is J.R. Smith, who has struggled shooting. As Blatt pointed out, Smith is getting good looks. But in the two games, Smith is a combined 6-of-21 from the floor, including a miserable 3-of-15 on 3-pointers. But Blatt wants Smith to keep firing away, calling the Cavs "a good shooting team" that will eventually find its way.
