This is part of the beauty of playoff basketball -the ability of coaches to adjust.The Celtics seemed stunned by the defensive presence that Lebron inspired and the refs bolstered..
The shift of momentum was dramatic.
It is times like this that Daniel Theis is sorely missed as a high energy, switchable defender with length.Two stars and two important off the bench tools and it may wind up Theis that could not be replaced!
Taking away Jaylen with quick fouls was in many ways game altering,would starting Semi on Lebron be an adjustment that might work?
Taking the refs quick whistle out of the game,all season Semi has played careful knowing calls would favor the stars he was assigned to guard.
The celtics may have baited Lebron into his 42 point game that took so much out of him and had him resting on defense that then spilled over on his teammates. A more balanced Lebron ,a more defensive Lebron and refs whistle on offense and siding with his defense made for a long hard to watch game.
If Lebron is going to go to the hoop early in an attempt to draw fouls-lets protect our key offensive player Tatum at the start. As players adjust to refs and what they are allowing.Early foul trouble put Jaylen on disconnect.