7 stats that explain why the Celtics lead the Cavs 2-0

[Ulquiorra]

The Celtics beat the Cavaliers 107-94 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference decider. Those figures will be the only ones that count toward a Finals ticket, but there are countless other statistics that tell a more complete tale.

Here’s a few stats from the series so far that show why the Celtics are in control:

32.2

The net rating Marcus Smart posted in Game 2. Stephen Curry has a 17.1 net rating so far in the playoffs.

9-0

The Celtics’ record at home in the 2018 playoffs. The team’s two-game lead in the Eastern Conference finals is a continuance of another theme: this year’s Celtics squad does not lose playoff games in Boston.

14

The number of points Jaylen Brown scored in the first quarter on Tuesday night. Brown’s early scoring provided a much-needed counterbalance to LeBron James, who went for 21 of the Cavaliers’ 27 points in the opening period. James scored another 21 points throughout the remaining three quarters to finish with 42 points (16-of-29 shooting), 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

46.7

The usage percentage for James in Game 2. For comparison’s sake, the highest usage percentage on the Celtics was Brown, at 25.7 percent.

3

The dismal number of total points scored by the Cavaliers’ starting backcourt, J.R. Smith and George Hill, in Game 2. Their counterparts, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, had 41 combined points for the Celtics.

15

The number of times Cleveland turned the ball over in Game 2. James alone had six turnovers. The Cavaliers have 25 turnovers through two games, while the Celtics have 17 turnovers and 14 steals.

24.6

The Cavaliers’ 3-point shooting percentage through two games.