Not that the Celtics necessarily needed the rest.
Yes, the delay of the Eastern Conference semifinals is good, especially when it comes to the hopeful return of Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis. Plus, the Cleveland Cavaliers used more energy and effort in a seven-game victory over the Orlando Magic, while the Celtics waited.
Sometimes, though, a team wants to keep the good times rolling.
The opening round wasn't a perfect series for the Celtics, where Boston defeated the Miami Heat 4-1. On paper, no worries were had in winning their four games by an average of 22 points. The Celtics started off each game strong, with somewhat mini lapses in the third and fourth quarters of games.
A Porzingis calf injury suffered in Game 4 is worrisome, as was a lax defensive effort in a Game 2 loss, which combined with a franchise record shooting performance by the Heat. And Porzingis struggled to really get going prior to the injury, part of a problem shooting that plagued many of the Boston players in the first round.
Journeys to an NBA title always come with obstacles and Boston remained poised. The Celtics are in a good spot, especially thanks to the growing legend of Derrick White.
Boston Celtics
White has consistently been on the rise since his 2021 arrival in Boston. The 2023-24 regular season cemented his status and the first-round performance has White growing into a legend.
Against the Heat, White averaged 22.4 points per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field. While many of the Celtics struggled in the three-point shooting department, White knocked down 47.7 percent of his attempts.
White closed the series with a bang, scoring 38 points in Game 4 and 25 in Game 5, knocking down 13 three-pointers in the two games.
Jaylen Brown was the top-scorer for the Celtics in the opening round, averaging 22.8 points on an efficient 52.2 percent from the field.
Leading scorer Jayson Tatum had trouble, shooting 41.6 percent from the field and a frigid 29 percent on three-point attempts. But the All-Star still managed 21.8 points per game, adding 10.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Tatum's struggles from deep are a concern but he has rounded out his game so well this season, and has stellar help around, that the Celtics can overcome stretches of Tatum not scoring.
Sam Hauser delivered on 48 percent of three-point attempts against Miami and notched 17 points in Game 5. Al Horford slides into the starting lineup for Porzingis and brings consistency. Payton Pritchard has his first-round struggles, too, in knocking down only 27.3 percent from deep. The Celtics will certainly need that to improve for Boston to keep winning.
Boston averaged 107.8 and held Miami to 92.2. The Heat scored over 100 only once, in their lone victory. Intensity on defense really picked up after Game 2, helping to overcome the slight shooting struggles from deep (38.5 percent).
The Celtics shot 47.4 percent from the field and averaged 45.6 rebounds and 22.8 assists in the five games.
Cleveland Cavs at a glance
The Celtics won two of three from the Cavs in the regular season. Boston played with their regular starting five on each occasion against Cleveland, winning twice in December. The Cavs were able to pick up a 105-104 victory in Cleveland back in March.
Tatum led the charge for Boston, averaging 26 points and 11.3 rebounds. All five starters scored in double figures each game for the Celtics, except for White. In the loss, White scored only three points but totaled 31 in the victories.
The Cavs are also dealing with injuries to major contributors. Center Jarrett Allen is dealing with bruised ribs and missed the last three games of the opening round. In the first four games of the series, Allen averaged 17 points and 13.8 rebounds. And in three games against Boston this season, Allen totaled 43 points and 27 rebounds.
Dean Wade has also been out since March 13 with a right knee strain. Wade had 23 points and 8 rebounds off the bench in Cleveland's lone victory over Boston.
Cleveland, the conference's fourth seed, won all four games at home and lost all three in Orlando. The Cavs won three of those four games by double digits and lost the road games by an average of 22.6 points.
Star Donovan Mitchell was outstanding in the final two games, scoring 89 points. A 50-point performance in the Game 6 loss was followed up by 39 in the series clincher.
Mitchell scored 60 points between the two losses to Boston in the regular season and did not play in the Cleveland victory.
Evan Mobley had a decent Game 7 against the Magic with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots, but the big man also had six turnovers. Mobley missed the two losses to Boston earlier this season and had only four points and six rebounds in the victory.
Darius Garland enjoyed success against the Celtics in the regular season with 61 points and 21 assists. He averaged 14.9 points against the Magic but suffered through a 3-13 performance from the field in Game 7.
Prediction
The Cavs have a superstar in Mitchell and a nice supporting cast to give the Celtics some trouble. But depth is in issue and questions linger as to who will consistently score along with Mitchell.
Boston, even without Porzingis, has the advantage in overall talent. With Porzingis, it's possible the Celtics could have completed a sweep. Without him, well, Cleveland can extend the series and Mitchell is capable of completely going off to carry the team to a victory or two. I will take Boston in six.
Game 1 is on Tuesday May 7, at 7 p.m. (ET) on TNT.
Other semifinal in the East: (6) Indiana Pacers vs (2) New York Knicks. Knicks in six
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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