It was a loss of monumental proportions, as Cleveland not only lost Game 5 of the Eastern Conference
semifinals to the Celtics on Tuesday, but may have lost their superstar in the process. Can the Cavaliers recover to steal Game 5 on the road?
NBA Playoffs: Second RoundNo. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 4 Boston CelticsCeltics lead series 3-2 (Boston 3-2 ATS)Thursday, May 13: 8:00 p.m., ESPNyouth MLB jerseyNBA Betting Odds: Boston -1, Total Points 196
The final score in Tuesday’s Game 5 was 120-88, but really the loss was a lot more symbolic than that. The Cavaliers were defeated and dismantled on their home court, and if his body language was any indication, it may have been the last game for LeBron James at Quicken Loans Arena in a Cleveland uniform.
cheap MLB jerseyJames was masterful early, dishing out several assists and ripping down a few key rebounds. However, after taking a 29-21 lead early in the second quarter, the Cavaliers wilted from within. Easy shots stopped falling, turnovers became the norm, and by the end of the third quarter, the game was effectively over. James finished the game just 3 of 14 from the field, with an abysmal 15 points. While he’s not the only one to blame
wholesale NFL jersey, he is the two-time defending
NBA MVP, reason for much ire with Cleveland fans.
As for Boston, everything that could go right did, as they got one of their most complete games of the season. Looking at the box score, it’d be impossible to pick an MVP of Game 5, there were too many contributors. Kevin Garnett had 18 points on a series of dunks and open jump shots. Ray Allen was spectacular, scoring 25 points including six 3-pointers. And veteran Paul Pierce looked normal again, putting in 21 points.
So as we get set for Game 6 back in Boston, who should you take in your
basketball bet? The smart play seems to be the Celtics.
The truth is, that although this series is at 3-2, the only game that Cleveland displayed good effort for 48 minutes was their Game 3 victory at the TD Bank North Garden. Other than that, they’ve come out flat and disinterested, and lost all three of their games in this series by double-digits.
Also, it seriously appears as though Cleveland coach Mike Brown is in over his head in this one. He has repeatedly tinkered with his lineups, without setting in on any players other then LeBron and Shaquille O’Neal. And with Shaq playing so many minutes
wholesale MLB jersey, it slows down this lineup, and creates a black hole defensively. On Tuesday night Garnett repeatedly stepped out on Shaq and hit a series of 15 footers, all because the big man couldn’t react in time.
With all this in mind, take the Celtics in your Thursday night NBA basketball bet.
They are simply better coached, and playing better right
cheap NBA jerseys, not to mention a more complete team. Cleveland may have the best player on the court in this series, but the Celtics have the better starting five.
If Cleveland loses this game, it could be the end of the LeBron James era as a Cavalier. While that has yet to be determined, something else has: Boston should be your basketball bet.
Aaron’s NBA Free Pick: Boston -1