Game Summary
The defending NBA Champion Cavaliers aim to take a 2-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics on Friday night. Tipoff in Game 2 from TD Garden is at 8:30 p.m. (ET).
Following Wednesday's 117-104 victory in Game 1, the Cavaliers won their franchise-record 12th consecutive postseason game dating back to Game 5 of last year’s NBA Finals.
CAVS TO DON NAVY JERSEYS.
From where to catch all the action to Friday's game notes, Cavs.com has you covered.
NBA on TNT
WTAM 1100, 87.7 FM La Mega
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Learn more about Friday's matchup.
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The 12 straight wins are tied for the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history (12 straight by Detroit from 1989-1990, San Antonio in 1999 and L.A. Lakers from 2000-2001) and just one shy of tying the NBA’s longest playoff winning streak of 13 straight wins (L.A. Lakers from 1988-1989). (Elias Sports Bureau)
In Wednesday’s Game 1 victory, Cleveland limited Boston to just 39 points in the first half (2017 opponent season low for a half) on 16-45 (.356) shooting and a 2-16 (.125) mark from deep. In addition, the Cavs held a 28-14 edge in rebounds in the opening half and went 22-39 (.564) from the field.
On Wednesday, three players scored 20 or more points for the Cavaliers (James – 38, Love – 32, Thompson – 20). The 90 combined points by the trio were the 3rd most combined points scored in a playoff game by three Cavs players.
For Boston, Isaiah Thomas tallied 17 points and a game-high 10 assists in Game 1. Jae Crowder had a team-high tying 21 points on 8-13 (.625) shooting, eight rebounds and five assists while Avery Bradley also scored 21 points and added four rebounds.
The Celtics hope to get more contributions overall as they seek to tie up the series before it shifts back to the North Coast. When going up 1-0, the Cavs have a 17-1 series record. Cleveland has never lost a series when leading 2-0 (14-0).
Where to Catch the Action
TV: NBA on TNT
Radio: WTAM 1100, 87.7 La Mega
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @ElalcaldeRafa and @chones22 on Twitter.
Probable Starters/Status Update*
#2 - Kyrie Irving
#5 - J.R. Smith
#23 - LeBron James
#0 - Kevin Love
#13 - Tristan Thompson
G
G
F
F
C
#4 Isaiah Thomas
#0 - Avery Bradley
#99 - Jae Crowder
#90 - Amir Johnson
#42 - Al Horford
Status Update: (Cavs) - Edy Tavares (Right Hand Fracture, Out)
Status Update: (Celtics) - None to Report
*Subject to change.
Series Stats
LeBron James is averaging 34.8 points (highest among all active players in playoffs) on .560 shooting from the field (.434 3FG%), 9.0 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.3 blocks in 42.3 minutes. After a 38-point, nine-rebound and seven-assist performance in Game 1, James now has posted 68 games with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in his playoff career (most in NBA postseason history). James has also scored 30 or more points in a career-high seven straight postseason games. The last player to score 30 or more points in seven straight playoff games was Shaquille O’Neal from 2002 to 2003. (Elias)
Kevin Love tallied his third double-double of this postseason (14th of playoff career) with a playoff career-high 32 points on 9-16 (.563) shooting, including
a 6-9 (.667) clip from beyond the arc and 8-9 (.889) shooting from the free throw line, 12 rebounds (11 defensive) and a steal in 34 minutes. It was his first
career postseason 30-10 game. In four contests against the Celtics this season (regular season and postseason), Love is averaging 25.8 points, including a .447
(17-38) mark from deep, a .933 (28-30) clip from the charity stripe and 12.8 rebounds in 33.5 minutes.
In Wednesday’s victory, Tristan Thompson finished a postseason career-best 20 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting from the field, nine rebounds (six offensive)
and two steals in 34 minutes. Thompson is the first player in Cavs history to make at least seven field goals without missing a shot in a postseason contest.
He has pulled down at least five offensive boards in five of Cleveland’s nine playoff games. (Elias)
On Deck
The series shifts to The Land for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday. If the series goes on beyond that point, it’s Thursday back in Boston for Game 3, Saturday at The Q for Game 6 and next Monday night in Boston if it goes seven.FIND SEATS | SCHEDULE