Expert
Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Boston Celtics |
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2018 NBA Eastern Conference finals, Game 6, May 26 - Q3 |
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Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH | ||
Cleveland Cavaliers | Boston Celtics | |
109 | SCORE | 99 |
20 | Q1 | 25 |
34 | Q2 | 18 |
29 | Q3 | 30 |
26 | Q4 | 26 |
It’s do or die for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who return to the Quicken Loans Arena for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 10:30am (AEST).
This series has followed a familiar script, with the home team winning – and dominating – each game so far.
It means we come to Game 6 with the Cavs gunning for a fourth straight finals series but needing to win two games in a row just to get there, being down 3-2 in the series.
As has been the case all season, LeBron James is the man who will have to do the bulk of the damage for the hosts. While he was good in Game 3 and 4 at home, his performance in Game 5 was well below standards.
He shot the ball poorly, made six turnovers and more worryingly, looked fatigued, spending more time on the bench than you would ordinarily see for the greatest of all time.
Still, he needs support, even at his best. For a team playing under the motto of ‘whatever it takes,’ they were pathetic in Game 5, with only Kevin Love handing a helping hand to James and his efforts.
In the end, a 13-point win flattered the Cavaliers, but they were strong at home, and Boston, right throughout the playoffs have been nowhere near as good on the road.
While they got the job done scrappily in the conference semi-finals, they never looked convincing on the road. It’s a nod to the youth seen in their team, with the likes of Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart leading the side.
They can get going on the back of their home crowd, but struggle to do so when tasked with battling a player like LeBron on the road, as seen in Games 3 and 4 when they lost by 30 and 9 respectively.
Boston should be stronger for the experience and if their defence holds solid they have a strong chance, but even then, their shooting has to come off like it did in the three games played at home this series.
With all that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise to see Cleveland favourites.
Prediction
It’s gone the way of the home sides so far and while I’m not so sure that’ll be the case in Game 7, we are definitely going to be heading back to Boston one way or another.
Cavaliers by 6.
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