Cavaliers' Tyronn Lue: Celtics prove tougher to defend than Warriors

On the heels of a Game 4 win against the Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers inched one step closer to their third consecutive NBA Finals — which would set up a rematch against the mighty Golden State Warriors. The Warriors haven’t lost all playoffs and are on a title mission, with Kevin Durant playing in MVP-form alongside two-time MVP Steph Curry and Co.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, in making it clear that the Eastern Conference finals are far from over despite clutching a 3-1 lead, said the Celtics are a “whole new team” to prepare for since Isaiah Thomas went down with an injury.

“They’re running a totally different offense than we prepared for, so it’s been tough on us,” Lue told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. “And defensively, they’re a lot better. They don’t have lot of weak links to go at.”

As far as the seemingly inevitable matchup against the Warriors, who Cleveland rallied to beat in the Finals last year despite a 3-1 deficit, Lue made it clear he and the Cavs have their hands full and aren’t looking ahead.

“I don’t even think about them,” Lue said. “We’re just focused on Boston. The stuff they’re running, it’s harder to defend than Golden State’s (offense) for me, as far as the actions and all the running around and all the guys who are making all the plays, so it’s a totally different thing.”

Huh? Sounds like Lue just said the Isaiah Thomas-less Celtics are tougher to defend than the offensive-juggernaut Warriors averaging 118 points a game these playoffs.

Lue continued of the C’s difficult scouting report in comparison to Golden State: “(The Celtics) hit the post, Golden State runs splits and all that stuff, but these (Boston) guys are running all kinds of (expletive). I’ll be like (expletive). They’re running all kinds of (stuff). And Brad’s got them moving and cutting and playing with pace, and everybody is a threat. It’s tough, you know, it’s tough.”

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