There's a frequently used NBA adage that suggests a series doesn't start until the home team loses. On that note, the Eastern Conference final hasn't yet started, with the Boston Celtics winning both games at TD Garden. The Houston Rockets fired back at the Golden State Warriors to even their matchup that's well underway.
Despite leading the series, Celtics guard Marcus Smart held on to the underdog narrative that's fueled this team since guard Kyrie Irving joined Gordon Hayward on the injury report for the year:
The Cavaliers haven't lost at home since Game 1 of the first round against the Indiana Pacers, but Boston will travel to Cleveland prepared for a hostile environment.
The Rockets dealt the Warriors a taste of their own medicine with an offensive onslaught in Game 2 en route to a 127-105 victory.
For Golden State, it's one of the worst postseason losses under head coach Steve Kerr, per ESPN Stats & Info:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoTonight was the 4th-worst playoff loss for the Warriors under Steve Kerr. The good news? Entering today, Golden State won the next game after 4 of their 5 worst losses under Kerr https://t.co/HnfNSUflLt
Houston exploded from long distance with 16 three-pointers and kept their feet on the pedal throughout the contest. Can the Warriors defense cool the Rockets' hot hands at Oracle Arena?
Take a look at the upcoming schedule for the conference finals and odds for Game 3 matchups below.
Upcoming 2018 NBA Conference Finals TV Schedule
Game 3: Boston at Cleveland: Saturday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (CLE -5)
Game 3: Houston at Golden State: Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT (GS -5.5)
Game 4: Boston at Cleveland: Monday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 4: Houston at Golden State: Tuesday, May 22 9 p.m. on TNT
*Game 5: Cleveland at Boston: Wednesday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Game 5: Golden State at Houston: Thursday, May 24 9 p.m. on TNT
*Game 6: Boston at Cleveland: Friday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
*Game 6: Houston at Golden State: Saturday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
*Game 7: Cleveland at Boston: Sunday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
*Game 7: Golden State at Houston: Monday, May 28 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT
Note: *-indicates if necessary, schedule courtesy of NBA.com
Cleveland Cavaliers Go Home Down 0-2
For those late to take the Celtics as a serious contender to represent the East, it's time to adjust the perspective on this starless group that's beat the Cavaliers twice at TD Garden. Head coach Brad Stevens' side remains undefeated on its floor with home-court advantage in this series.
James bounced back from an abysmal Game 1 performance, but the majority of his teammates remain listless. Kevin Love logged 22 points with 15 rebounds and Kyle Korver notched 11 in the scoring column, but the Cavaliers didn't have enough to match Boston's even contributions. All five Celtics starters recorded double figures in points.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Celtics backcourt took a significant advantage Tuesday:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoThe Celtics starting backcourt of Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown outscored the Cavaliers backcourt of George Hill and J.R. Smith 41-3 https://t.co/MsDVv3CPFp
Guards George Hill and J.R. Smith have a combined 12 points on 5-of-24 shooting in this series. James needs more help from teammates other than Love to beat a Celtics club that features six players averaging double figures in scoring for the current postseason.
Boston has an opportunity to put the defending conference champions on the ropes with a win Saturday on the road, but they're 1-4 away from home.
Golden State Warriors Look to Answer 22-Point Road Loss in Even Series
The Warriors squeezed the optimistic air out of the Toyota Center in Game 1. Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni answered questions about the team's play style, but he never wavered even after their Game 2 win to even the series:
NBA TV @NBATV"We did exactly what we did." - Mike D'Antoni on not changing up the game plan in Game 2 and amping up defense and energy #NBAPlayoffs | #Rockets https://t.co/ypExMpcDxI
The Rockets' secondary scorers made the difference between the two games, per ESPN Stats & Info:
ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfoJames Harden and Chris Paul are getting far more help in Game 2 than they did in Game 1. In Game 1, Rockets players other than Harden & Paul scored 42. They already have 47 in the 1st half of Game 2 https://t.co/Bqjlqv6JUZ
Eric Gordon tied James Harden as team leaders in points with 27. P.J. Tucker scorched the net with a hot hand shooting 5-of-6 from three-point territory. Trevor Ariza avoided foul trouble and scored 19 in 36 minutes.
The Rockets officially made the series interesting as they flexed their muscles on the offensive end and didn't let up on the defending champions.
Surprisingly, guard Stephen Curry has been in a three-point shooting slump, hitting just 2-of-13 from beyond the arc over the past two outings. If he's unable to find his way, we could see a long series that comes down to 48 minutes in Houston for Game 7.
Read Again http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2776669-nba-playoffs-2018-upcoming-live-stream-schedule-tv-info-odds-and-moreBagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NBA Playoffs 2018: Upcoming Live-Stream Schedule, TV Info, Odds and More"
Post a Comment