After the Cleveland Cavaliers finished the first round, the second round of the playoffs came as scheduled. Also advancing with them are the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers.
According to the match rules, the Raptors will face the 76ers next, and the Cavaliers' opponent will be the Celtics.
The situation in the Western Conference has not changed much. The top four teams have successfully advanced without any miracles related to the "Black Eight".
The Golden State Warriors will face the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Houston Rockets in the second round.
Amid the expectations of countless fans, the series between the Cavaliers and Celtics begins.
The first game will be held at the North Shore Garden Arena, home of the Celtics.
In the evening, tens of thousands of fans poured in. In order to "welcome" the arrival of the Cavaliers, the fans here spent a lot of effort. Many fans held up signs "Cheering" for LeBron James, which were filled with various slogans to "motivate" LeBron.
"LeBron, don't cry when you lose! (Attached is a photo of LeBron crying)"
“Boston will be where you fall!”
"LeBron is nothing without a team!"
The moment the Cavaliers came on the court, the Boston fans screamed wildly. Their reaction was very unified, sending overwhelming boos towards LeBron, and many people even held up those signs and shouted towards LeBron.
This situation made Zhao Feiyang, who was walking in the crowd, a little stunned.
"Damn! Fortunately, it's not aimed at me!"
Although he has led his team to win championships and played away games, he is still different from LeBron. Firstly, I am not as famous as the other person, and secondly, I have not done as many things as the other person. If I don’t have that much love, I naturally don’t have that much hate.
While Zhao Feiyang looked worried, LeBron looked quite calm. He wasn't even that angry, and even joked with JR Smith next to him.
"One thing to say, LeBron's mentality is really good at this point. If it were Green, he might rush into the crowd and fight..."
Zhao Feiyang speculated in his heart.
Soon the Celtics came out too.
Unlike the Cavaliers, the Celtics received cheers as the home team. Whether they are main players or role players, the applause they receive is equally warm.
In this atmosphere, Kyrie Irving became the first. No matter how he is viewed internally by the Celtics, to the outside world, he is indeed the team leader of the Celtics.
Owen also enjoys this feeling.
He waved to the fans and shook his head. The smile on his lips was as uncontrollable as AK's.
After entering the stadium, Irving immediately went up to say hello to LeBron. However, Irving's first words after the two met surprised the Cavaliers players on the side.
"Hey LeBron, did you see that?"
"This is my team! We also successfully reached the second round of the playoffs... Many people in the outside world doubted me before, thinking that I can't do anything without you... But What now? It doesn’t look like that…”
Irving seems eager to prove himself.
When LeBron saw Irving so excited, he did not undermine his self-confidence. Instead, he encouraged him as a senior to a junior.
"Well done! I'm so happy for you, Kairi."
I thought LeBron would be unhappy, but LeBron had such an attitude, which made Irving not know what to say for a while.
After being stunned for a moment, he remembered that he hadn't high-fived and hugged LeBron yet, so the two of them said hello together.
Beep.
The timer sounds and the match between the two sides is about to begin.
Before officially playing, Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue made adjustments to the team's lineup. Considering that LeBron is the team's strongest firepower, Tyronn Lue continues to build the team's tactics around LeBron. As a result, Zhao Feiyang's ball rights were naturally reduced, and Jordan Clarkson replaced him as the starter again.
"Zhao, I hope you can understand."
"I don't have any other thoughts... it's just that the team needs to be around LeBron to win games..."
Tyronn Lu explained to Zhao Feiyang in private.
Zhao Feiyang said nothing, just nodded in agreement.
In his opinion, it doesn't matter whether he plays in the starting lineup or not. The more rest time he has now, the more the team will need him in subsequent games. When he performs at his peak, I am afraid that the entire team will be able to make a difference. The team was shocked.
Therefore, Zhao Feiyang sat on the team bench and rested.
Over there with the Celtics.
Kyrie Irving plays the one position, Jaylen Brown plays the two position, and Jayson Tatum plays the three position. The power forward position is given to Marcus Morris, and the center position is given to Al Horford.
The starters from both teams walked onto the court to prepare for the jump ball.
Snapped.
The referee threw the ball high, and the Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson took the first shot of the basketball. He slapped the ball into the hands of teammate J.R. Smith.
JR didn't hesitate when he got the ball. He took the ball and sprinted directly towards the half court. He rushed to the basket first and threw the ball forcefully. The basketball hit the basket and failed to score. Fortunately, LeBron followed up and jumped high. He picked up the rebound and put the ball into the basket. .
Uh-huh.
The ball went in.
The Cavaliers scored the first two points.
It was the Celtics' turn to attack.
Irving advances with the ball. Facing his former club, Irving seemed very excited. After halftime, Clarkson's marker began to waver decisively. The two faced each other, and Irving easily shook Clarkson off and rushed into the two zones.
Tatum on the wing was planning to come up to respond, but Irving had no idea of passing the ball. He drove the ball directly into the basket and threw it high.
Snapped.
The basketball hit the backboard and fell firmly into the basket.
The whole audience burst into applause.
The fans cheered.
However, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens didn't look happy. He stood up again while sitting on the team bench and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh when looking at Irving on the court.
"Oh! No! Kyrie, this is not a one-man game! You should cooperate more with your teammates..."
Disappointed, Stevens did not interfere further, but allowed the players on the field to continue playing.
The game continues on the court.
Cavaliers offense.
After halftime, LeBron took the initiative to pass the ball. After getting the ball, he stood at a 45-degree angle on the right side and played singles. Facing Tatum who was marking him, LeBron raised the basketball and shot a three-pointer.
Uh-huh.
His shot met Tatum and hit the basket steadily.
