2015 NBA Playoffs: Cavs vs. Celtics Series Preview & Prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers started the season as NBA title favorites, and after a rocky start to the season, they enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are still the betting favorites to win the title.

The Boston Celtics were thought to be tanking this season to get another high draft pick to help their rebuilding effort, and they traded away their two best players (Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green) to help with that. However, this young group caught fire after the All-Star break, and they ended up clinching the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.

Both sides split the season series 2-2, though Boston's two wins came at the end of the regular season when they were fighting for a playoff spot and Cleveland (who had already clinched the No. 2 seed) was resting their starters.

Projected Starting Lineups

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29)

G Kyrie Irving – 21.7 ppg, 5.2 apg

G J.R. Smith – 12.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg

F LeBron James – 25.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.4 apg

F Kevin Love – 16.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg

C Timofey Mozgov– 10.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg

(7) Boston Celtics (40-42)

G Marcus Smart – 7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg

G Avery Bradley – 13.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg

F Evan Turner – 9.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 5.1 rpg

F Brandon Bass – 10.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg

C Tyler Zeller – 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg

What to watch for:

How will Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love play in their first postseason?

Irving and Love will get their first taste of the playoffs this year, and while both are known as great players, playoff success can elevate their status among the best players in the league. Seeing how they respond to being on the big stage will be very intriguing and exciting to watch - and will also make or break Cleveland's title chances.

Bench Production

Cleveland's biggest weakness is their bench, which is the worst in the NBA, while the Celtics have one of the better benches in the league since trading for Isaiah Thomas. Boston usually gets a boost from their substitutes, and they need their bench to play a big factor if they want to win this series.

Prediction: Cavs win 4-1

Boston's good enough to steal one game at home, but the Cavaliers are simply too talented and have too much firepower. They'll get by the Celtics with ease.