Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 Reasons the Cavs will beat the Celtics

By Nick Dudukovich

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) works the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) works the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) works the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) works the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Love > Al Horford

Neither big man fits the traditional role. Both perform in the post, and can flex out for 3s. The two seemed to get knocked for the things they don’t do because of the massive contracts they signed.

Love is 6-10, but couldn’t scare a mouse from entering the paint. Horford, who was the Celtics’ big free-agent splash, doesn’t rebound like a big man “should.” He averaged 6.8 boards per night. That led the Celtics, but come on! Shooting guard Avery Bradley averaged 6.1 rebounds per night.

What Love can do is rebound, and he’s one of the best at it. But Horford is no Draymond Green. The Cavs don’t have to worry about matching up with Golden State’s small-ball lineup…yet. Coach Ty Lue can leave Love in all he wants, and the Cavs will be be a better defensive rebounding team because of it.

And if Horford or Kelly Olynyk have success against Love in the post, the Cavs will live with it, because Cleveland will happily trade 2s for 3s.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers