Eastern Conference Finals: Game 4

Welcome to another edition of WhoReps' look at the NBA Playoffs. Today we'll be looking at Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Enjoy! Click a bolded name to see their page.  
                                            
After the Cleveland Cavaliers lost handily to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 to open this Eastern Conference Finals, people scoffed when LeBron James called it merely a "feel out game" after being held to just 15 points. All he's done since is average a staggering 37 a game on 59% shooting, and led them to back-to-back rousing wins that have tied this series up at two games apiece. James dominated (again) from the opening tip, eschewing his jumper in favor of punishing rim attacks that resulted in a stream of layups, dunks, and fouls. The Cavs jumped out early for the second straight game, and it just never quite got close enough to make them sweat after that in the 111-102 win.
 
But LeBron dominated Game 2 even more decisively, yet Boston still came away with the victory in this one. What made the difference in this game was the contribution of the other Cavs, even with power forward Kevin Love struggling mightily. Sharpshooter Kyle Korver continues to show why he's one of the deadliest long-range threats in the history of the NBA, and on this night he also provided an unexpected defensive lift against athletic Boston wing Jaylen Brown. Veteran point guard George Hill, acquired at the trade deadline from Sacramento, provided the kind of steady presence on both ends that made him so effective with San Antonio and Indiana. And the oft-belittled Tristan Thompson, possibly better known at this point for his relationship with Khloe Kardashian than anything to do with basketball, has seemingly rediscovered the form that helped Cleveland win the title in 2016. 
 
For the Celtics, its suddenly back to the drawing board again. Perhaps more importantly, its back to the friendly confines of the Boston Garden. The Celtics have yet to lose at home this postseason, going an impressive 9-0. Yet they're just 1-6 on the road, with that one win coming in Game 3 against Philadelphia. Coach Brad Stevens has gotten a huge amount of deserved praise for his job with this injured Celtics squad, but he has to be able to get them ready for games outside Beantown. They did manage to make this one much more competitive after yet again getting blitzed in the first quarter, but they just couldn't close the gap. Guard Marcus Smart particularly struggled with his shot and with turnovers, while rookie sensation Jayson Tatum has been largely held in check in this series after dominating the 76ers. The bottom line is that the Celtics have been winning with defense in these playoffs, and they've completely failed on that end here in Cleveland. Game 5 is back in Boston on Wednesday, and its a good bet that whoever wins that walks away with the series.