Will Cleveland Rock into the Finals?
Is LeBron James Hurt?
In clinching their first round playoff series against Chicago Tuesday night, the Cavaliers did not look like the runaway freight train that carried them through the regular season.
Edging the Bulls 96-94 in the Game 5, Cleveland not only looked unimpressive, King James may have been hurt in a near-triple double performance.
After the final buzzer, LeBron was holding his right arm against his side and talking about a mysterious injury that doesn’t show up on MRIs, but one must figure he’ll get better in the next couple of days. However, if LeBron is at anything less than 100 percent, their next opponent’s chances of advancing rise significantly.
One year removed from being NBA champs, the Celtics, in soundly defeating the Miami Heat, have a formula that may prove to be a winning method when they begin the series against Cleveland Saturday.
It may be good to be King, but if LeBron can’t perform in his usual dominating form, the multi-pronged attack of Boston makes them a dangerous opponent. While no longer dependent on the Big Three, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce can still can take over any game for stretches at a time. What could stymie the Cavs title hopes though, the real difference maker could turn out to be the maturity and clutch play of point guard Rajon Rondo, who, as a second-year player, was lucky enough to get on-the-job training as a full-time starter in Boston’s championship season. Rondo’s playoff numbers indicate he can clearly make all the difference. For example, last year the guard averaged nearly a triple-double in 14 playoff games. Rondo almost had a triple-double Tuesday against Miami with 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.
The key inside for Cleveland is not so much Shaquille O’Neal, but more of the complimentary talents of Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao who figure to make a greater impact in the paint.
Still, don’t be fooled by the regular season edge to Cleveland, Boston is fit and peaking at the right time. On the other hand, if basketball’s most dominant player is good to go, the Cavaliers are likely to be one step closer to their goal.
Rajon Rondo
Best-of-seven series
Saturday, May 1: Boston at Cleveland, TBD
Monday, May 3: Boston at Cleveland, TBD
Cleveland at Boston, TBD
Cleveland at Boston, TBD
Boston at Cleveland, TBD
Cleveland at Boston, TBD
Boston at Cleveland, TBD
