LeBron James knows the playoffs but some of his teammates, those without a wealth of playoff experience, are getting some well-worn lessons in the art of postseason competition away from the confines of home that will come in handy down the road. Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers leads the series 3-0.
Boston Celtics fought hard in home floor. They tried to double team Lebron James, only to see James passed to Kevin Love for a triple. The Celtics are giving a valiant effort in a battle they have little chance of prolonging beyond this weekend. Game 4 is here Sunday afternoon and provides the Cavaliers an opportunity to wrap up this business early with a date in the conference semifinals against the Chicago Bulls, which took a 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks.
This will be a valuable experience for Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving for the upcoming years. The two stars experienced their first playoff road action of their careers Thursday. The plays that have to be made under duress with a hostile crowd howling serving as the soundtrack of the night is on-the-job training that cannot be simulated.
There is a huge difference between the two teams in terms of talent and experience, one that is even more pronounced when LeBron's playoff history -- he was battling the Big 3 Celtics in the playoffs when several of the current Celtics were still in grade school -- is factored into the equation.
Brad Stevens, Celtics new coach has done as fine a coaching job as anyone in the league, especially under the constantly changing circumstances he was dealt with all season, acknowledged as much.
"Obviously, No. 23 is one," he said of what separated these two teams Thursday night and basically any other time. "And obviously they've got other very talented guys, right? I thought Love made huge shots. I thought Irving made huge shots. And then J.R. Smith, he went to a different level than he's been in the first two games. So I think all of those guys, and then you add in the (Tristan) Thompsons and the rebounders and all of those guys, so you've got all those guys that are good players around super, superstars and they just become better when they're around them. And that's what the great ones doe, they make everybody else rise up."
Cleveland’s bench has some playoffs experience in addition to Lebron James. Veterans Shawn Marion, Kendrick Perkins, Mike Miller, James Jones and Brendan Haywood all have extensive playoff experience and each has played in The Finals at least once in their careers. But Jones was the only one who played on this night, and his work consisted of just four minutes and 15 seconds of spot duty off the bench.
The Cavaliers chance is now. They have 3 reliable stars that will carry them. They have a great bench and a bunch of playoff veterans there.
Love made huge contributions especially when James is doubled team. He finished with 23 points (6-for-10 from beyond the 3-point line), nine rebounds and three assists. They need it now as they try and finish off the stubborn Celtics and they'll need even more from Love, Kyrie and the rest as this playoff odyssey continues.
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