The Boston Celtics overachieved this season and earned themselves a playoff berth in the process. One of the main reasons they were able to sneak in was because they play in the drastically weaker Eastern Conference, but a playoff appearance is a playoff appearance.
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Their reward for that hard work was a first round matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are the favorites to win the NBA title, according to Vegas oddsmakers. So far, the Celtics have played well through two games, but they have still lost both contests. It is unlikely that even the biggest Boston homers expected the team to win the series, but many doubted that Cleveland would sweep. Apparently Celtics swingman Jae Crowder agrees, and he says the team is not going to back down or go quietly.
Is Mozgov intimidating? Crowder laughs. "No. Nobody on their team is intimidating."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 22, 2015
Crowder has not been afraid to step up for Boston, and he has also undertaken the challenge of guarding LeBron James for stretches during the series. Rajon Rondo Out In Dallas Unless Rick Carlisle Goes? Unsurprisingly, Crowder also has some thoughts about matching up against the king.
Crowder on guarding Playoff LeBron: "It's great. It's the biggest challenge I think I ever took on." — Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 22, 2015
You have to love seeing that from a player, particularly one playing for an overmatched team that nobody would blame for just being happy to be in the postseason.
Cleveland will undoubtedly win the series, barring some sort of catastrophe, but it is nice to see a plucky Celtics team representing themselves well in what they hope will be the first of many playoff appearances in the coming seasons.
See the Game 2 highlights below.
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