Tag: Cleveland Cavaliers

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have stepped up for the Boston Celtics

Especially in Games 3 and 4 of the second round series.

Star forwards Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have stepped up for the Boston Celtics vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series so far, especially in Games 3 and 4 of the second round series.

And that is what they are supposed to do as the twin stars of a contending team with the best regular season record for the 2023-24 season. But given the past failures of the Celtics in other postseasons to secure winnable games in earlier rounds, this is a promising development for Boston’s hopes of finally hanging Banner 18 this summer. The hosts of the CLNS Media “The Big Three NBA” podcast, A. Sherrod Blakely, Gary Washburn, and Kwani Lunis recently looked back on how the Jays played in the Cavs series on a recent pod.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear their thoughts on Brown and Tatum’s play against Cleveland in the second round.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Can the Cavaliers draft Bronny James and lure LeBron back to Cleveland?

The Cavs’ odds of pulling this off are slim to none, but should they try?

Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson react to Bronny James’ impressive showing at the NBA draft combine and debate if the Cleveland Cavaliers should select Bronny in order to attract LeBron James in free agency.

The Cavaliers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs on Wednesday night in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Celtics. The Cavs were luckless in this series. Donovan Mitchell got hurt, essentially ending any realistic chances the Cavs had of being able to extend Boston to six or seven games. That said, the Cavs probably weren’t going to come especially close to beating Boston anyway. Given that a number of high-profile Eastern Conference teams, such as the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks had very disappointing 2024 seasons, it might be very difficult for the Cavs to do any better than they did this year (making the second round of the playoffs). Other teams in the East will be better-positioned to make a deep playoff run in future years.

How can the Cavaliers potentially change this equation? Luring LeBron James back to Ohio. It is notable that LeBron attended one of the Cavs-Celtics games in Cleveland a few days ago. Did that mean there were possible stirrings of a final (third) stint in Cleveland, or is that wishful thinking by Cavs fans? It’s interesting to debate this, but it’s hard to see how LeBron will be with any team other than the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

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Celtics Lab 259: Closing out the Cavs in the East semis and a look ahead to the East finals

Let’s talk about the Al Horford game, the Cavs series, and what comes next.

The Boston Celtics have defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5 of their 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series to advance to the NBA’s 2024 Eastern Conference finals. It came via a massive game from veteran Boston big man Al Horford, and it also saw perhaps the best postseason play from star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as well.

As an added bonus, the team will get a bit of rest while they wait to learn their opponent in the next round from the New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers series. How do we feel about the East semis victory? Do we have any lingering concerns for the next round? When do we think Kristaps Porzingis will return to the court? Who will Boston play, and who do we want them to play?

The hosts of the “Celtics Lab” podcast sat down after the win to talk about all of the above. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the Al Horford game, the Cavs series, and what comes next.


The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.


If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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PHOTOS: Boston vs. Cleveland – Horford and Celtics clobber Cavs 113-98 in Game 5

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 5 of their second round series vs. the Cavs.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5 of the conference semifinals Wednesday night thanks to a strong defensive performance. Credit veteran big man Al Horford for powering his club to a gutsy win to clinch the series at home.

Cleveland played with purpose from the opening tip, refusing to relent even when Boston tightened up as the game went on. They forced 12 Celtics turnovers, and forced the issue around the rim. As the game progressed, however, Boston found new life on defense, which in turn resulted in a more energetic and purposeful approach on the offensive end as well. Cleveland teased a run late, but the Celtics closed the door. With the win, Boston advances to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth time in eight seasons.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 5 of their second round series vs. the Cavs.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Report: Nets among teams with trade offers ready for Donovan Mitchell

Per Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Brooklyn Nets would be one of the teams ready to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of an offseason in which they could make a number of decisions to change their team to be better for next season. One of the ways for them to alter the makeup of their team is through trades and one player could already be of interest to them.

Brian Windhorst said Wednesday on “Get Up” that if Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell doesn’t sign an extension with the Cavaliers soon that Cleveland could opt to trade him to avoid losing him for nothing. Windhorst said that some teams are already waiting with offers to trade for Mitchell if it comes to pass that he will not sign an extension with Cleveland.

“There are a a number of teams that have their offers ready,” Windhorst said. After saying that the Los Angeles Lakers are definitely one of the teams that Windhorst is talking about, he implied that the New York Knicks are more worried about trying to win the championship this season than they are about Mitchell’s potential trade availability.

However, it is what he said afterwards that has the Nets fanbase swirling right now. “The Knicks? I think the Knicks are trying to win this Eastern Conference (playoffs). Certainly across the river there in Brooklyn,” Windhorst said. While this could either be Windhorst’s opinion or what he’s hearing in NBA circles, it’s not something that is surprising to hear.

Mitchell, native of Elmsford, New York, less than 30 miles from Manhattan, is someone who has been rumored to have a desire to come back home and play for a team based in New York City. While the Knicks could be on the table as a team to try to acquire Mitchell, it’s possible that they may not pursue that avenue if they are able to beat the Indiana Pacers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Mitchell, whose father is Donovan Mitchell Sr., has some family ties to New York as his father works for the New York Mets, something that could influence his decision of where he chooses to go. Either way, it seems that if Mitchell gets to the point of not extending with the Cavaliers that the Nets could be a beneficiary of that.

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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst floats Houston as possible Donovan Mitchell suitor

With one year left on his current contract, could Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell be traded this summer? If so, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is watching Houston.

Could Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell be traded this summer?

He has only one season left on his contract, and Cleveland is on the verge of being eliminated in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Cavs might not want to risk losing Mitchell for no compensation in 2025 — should he indicate uncertainty regarding his long-term plans.

If Mitchell is unwilling to sign an extension in Cleveland, longtime NBA insider Brian Windhorst is watching a few teams as potential suitors. In a recent television appearance on ESPN, he mentioned the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as teams to watch on the Mitchell front. Windhorst added:

There will probably be more suitors. Houston, potentially.

Mitchell is slated to make $35.4 million in the 2024-25 season, when he will be 28 years old.

In terms of a potential deal, the Rockets have sufficient salary matching options. The bigger questions surround asset value.

For starters, would Mitchell be willing to commit to a new contract with the Rockets (41-41), who haven’t yet broken .500 in their rebuild? If not, it would likely be too risky for Houston to make the peak bid, since Mitchell could leave for no compensation in 2025.

If Mitchell was willing to extend with the Rockets, Houston has intriguing assets to offer Cleveland between a “core six” of recently drafted first-round prospects (Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore); the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA draft; and three more years of unprotected first-round assets via Brooklyn.

But, with the Rockets not yet on the cusp of immediate title contention, it remains to be seen how many of those younger assets general manager Rafael Stone would be willing to surrender.

If Mitchell expressed a desire to go to Houston specifically, that leverage might drive down the asking price, since other teams probably wouldn’t bid too aggressively on a player (even an All-Star) who doesn’t want to play there and isn’t willing to commit to his next contract. The question is, why would Mitchell prioritize the improved but still-building Rockets to that extent? Is head coach Ime Udoka that much of a draw? It’s not implausible, but it’s a lot to ask.

With that in mind, it’s a long shot for those dominoes to fall in line. But it’s a subplot worth monitoring as the 2024 offseason nears.

A 6-foot-3 shooting guard, Mitchell has averaged 27.5 points (47.5% FG, 37.8% on 3-pointers), 5.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 35.6 minutes over his two seasons in Cleveland.

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Windhorst: NBA executives were curious about LeBron James going to Cavaliers playoff game

LeBron James may have had an ulterior motive for attending Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Celtics in Cleveland on Monday.

LeBron James caused a bit of a stir on Monday when he and his agent Rich Paul made an appearance at Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Naturally, given the fact he’s expected to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and become a free agent this summer, many are wondering about the reason for his visit to his old stomping grounds. People are especially curious given how infamously passive-aggressive James is and his history of sending messages in such a fashion.

Brian Windhorst, who has covered James for over 20 years, said several executives around the NBA are curious about why James was in Cleveland for that playoff game. Windhorst speculated the superstar wasn’t there only to enjoy some playoff basketball — he was there for a reason.

“I will say this, the first thing I thought of was this moment 10 years ago where LeBron showed up to a game in Cleveland while he was a player for the Miami Heat to honor Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ Jersey retirement, his longtime teammate,” said Windhorst. “And he got in a private plane, flew from Chicago over to Cleveland on an off night. Pat Riley was not happy. And a few months later he signed with the Cavs. … He’s extremely strategic and I wish I could tell you I knew exactly what he is doing. I don’t pretend to know, but he’s gotta be up to something.”

Many do feel James will ultimately stay with the Lakers on a new contract, and the Lakers are rumored to be interested in Cavs star guard Donovan Mitchell, so perhaps James’ motive for going to that game isn’t necessarily selfish. But it’s sometimes hard to decipher exactly what he’s up to.

Jaylen Brown on how a referee nearly impacted the outcome of Boston’s Game 4 win vs. Cavs

A ref collided with Brown in the game’s waning seconds as the Georgia native took (and made) a critical 3.

The Boston Celtics needed most of Game 4‘s full 48 minutes of game time to finish off a desperate Cleveland Cavaliers squad to take a commanding 3-1 lead vs. the Cavs in their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Monday (May 13) night. But star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown had no excuses for the slow start against a depleted foe.

“It took us a little while to get going, and stop ball watching and play some basketball,” said Brown postgame via the Associated Press. And while some fans will be only to happy to blame the referees in such scenarios, the Celtics held a considerable advantage in the game when it comes to foul calls 12 to the Cavs’ 17.

But one official — Tyler Ford — collided with Brown in the game’s waning seconds as the Georgia native took (and made) a critical 3.

“I thought he had an effect on the play,” said the Cal alum, hinting that the collision nearly affected the outcome of the game. “You’ve got to be more aware. But the shot went in, so it’s a non-story.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What does Game 4 tell us about the future of Boston’s East semis series vs. the Cavaliers?

Is this series destined to end in Boston? Or do the Cavs have one more win in them?

If we are being honest, the Cleveland Cavaliers never had much of a chance with both Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland out injured. The Boston Celtics needed a top-notch effort to beat the rest of the Cavs, though, which Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff was sure to note postgame.

“They laid it all out there,” said the Cavs coach to the Associated Press after their loss, which puts them 3-1 in the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals series headed back to Boston for Wednesday’s Game 4. “They gave us everything that they had. They competed at a high level.”

Is this series destined to end in Boston? Or do the Cavs have one more win in them? The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis, broke down the Game 4 win and what’s ahead on a recent episode of the pod.

Check it out above!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On the Boston Celtics Game 4 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers

“There’s no better feeling than winning a playoff game on the road,” said Tatum postgame.

The Boston Celtics wrested a 3-1 series lead from the Cleveland Cavaliers in their 109-102 Game 4 win at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday (May 13) night, with star forward Jayson Tatum looking like he’s shaking off the funk that has plagued his early postseason play.

“There’s no better feeling than winning a playoff game on the road,” said the St. Louis native to the media (via Associated Press) postgame. “Tough environment and the crowd was great. Now, it’s time to go back to Boston and play well in front of our fans and give them something to cheer for.”

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, broke down what they saw in Game 4 and how they think Game 5 will go with the series shifting back to Boston. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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