East Conf. Finals - Game 4: Boston Celtics 102-111 Cleveland Cavaliers - 5 Talking Points

#3 The battle for boards was decisive

Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game Four

Brad Stevens may have missed a trick by not playing Aron Baynes in the starting lineup today. The Australian big man has been an important role player, glue guy and has anchored the paint for the Celtics impeccably throughout the season. When Tyronn Lue turned to Tristan Thompson for the second successive occasion in Game 3 and it paid dividends for them, Stevens should have taken the cue to push Baynes into the starting lineup.

As things transpired, the Cavs outrebounded the Celtics 47-37. Tristan Thompson had his third double-double of the postseason with 13 points and 12 rebounds in addition to 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. Kevin Love himself had 11 rebounds, and the two of them combined to hold Horford to 5-of-13 shooting from the field.

The Celtics' lone active All-Star did have 15 points, but his inability to rebound effectively on the defensive end was a source of points for TT. His 7 rebounds in 41 minutes were matched by Baynes' 7 in 16 minutes - 5 of them coming on the offensive glass.