Forgive me for forgiving the Celtics

Another dominant series win for one of the East's most dominant teams of the past quarter-century.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

The Lute Player; Caravaggio; 1600

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Scores

Cavaliers 98, Celtics 113 (BOS wins 4-1) — Sixth time in eight years the Celtics are one of the last two teams standing in the Eastern Conference. The single Finals berth during this stretch to date is disappointing for a franchise steeped in banners. But it’s a helluv’an accomplishment in the modern competitive balance era. Brad Stevens and Jaylen Brown have been around for all six Eastern Conference Finals berths, in one role or another. Jayson Tatum has been here for the past five and its unequivocal best player for the past four.

As such, forgive me for forgiving the Celtics for letting Cleveland hang around despite Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen again joining the proceedings in street clothes. Forgive me forgiving Boston for being in a 1-possession game in the fourth quarter against an inferior team in T.D. Garden. Evan Mobley with 33? Marcus Morris Sr. with 25? All is forgiven. Boston won both its first two series 4-1. Forgiven.

Cleveland’s weird season comes to a bizarre end after barely surviving a first-round scare against a team they tanked to draw. Based on the results here it’s hard to argue that the team is better off without Mitchell (who is eligible to sign a massive extension this summer but might not and could become a free agent next summer) or Allen (who is on a team-friendly contract).