The set-up: The Toronto Raptors won a franchise-record 59 games this season and appeared to be in good shape to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals but after two rounds of playoffs, the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, the Nos. 2 and 4 seeds, respectively, overcame all kinds of adversity and will open their second straight conference finals Sunday at TD Garden. Boston's adversity started five minutes into the season when its prized agent Gordon Hayward went down with a season-ending injury. Surprise rookie Daniel Theis and Kyrie Irving, acquired from the Cavs in a huge deal, were also lost to knee surgery. Marcus Smart, a valuable offensive defensive and defensive piece went down late after right thumb surgery (although he's back) plus the injury list would go on and on. However, it never really stopped Brad Stevens' team. The Cavs opened the season looking for their fourth straight conference title behind LBJ but never got anything out of the damaged Isaiah Thomas (hip) and wound up shipping Thomas and fellow former Celtic Jae Crowder out of town as part of a major overhaul at the trade deadline. Cleveland, at times, seemed to play no defense at all and they dropped to fourth in the conference as the Philadelphia 76ers ran off 16 straight wins at the end of the season. both teams needed seven games to get out of the first round (Cavs notably went 1-6 ATS vs. the Pacers). However, both teams were terrific in the second round, as the Celtics took out the up and coming 76ers in five games (led 3-0 and went 4-1 ATS in the series), while the Cavs swept the conference-best Raptors in four games (second straight year they have done so), going 3-1 ATS.

Cleveland: LBJ has again been a dominant force, averaging 34.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists, while throwing in a pair of buzzer-beaters along the way. Kevin Love averaged 22.6 points and 12.4 rebounds in last season's conference finals against Boston and seems primed to help out James, after finishing the second-round sweep of the Toronto Raptors by scoring at least 21 points in each of the final three games of that series. Love averaged 25.0 & 11.0 in that span, after averaging 10.9 points on 31.9 percent shooting in his first eight contests this postseason. Cleveland's supporting cast looked very mediocre against the Pacers but looked ready for primetime vs. the Raptors.

Boston: PG Terry Rozier has become a star since replacing injured All-Star and former Cavalier Kyrie Irving, as "Scary Terry" is averaging 18.2 points in the playoffs while guiding a gritty group. Rookie Jayson Tatum led Boston by averaging 23.6 PPG versus the 76ers). In fact, Tatum has a shot at history in this series. He has recorded seven straight 20-point games, tying him with Donovan Mitchell for the second-most all time among rookies. Lew Alcindor, then of the Milwaukee Bucks, holds the record with 10 in a row in 1970. However, veteran Al Horford has been a leader for Boston through the 12 playoff games, averaging 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game (essentially doing everything for his team). The Celtics struggled to slow down James in the one-sided matchup last spring - won by Cleveland in five games - but they feel they have more men to throw at him this time around. "With this group, we have more depth in [the perimeter] positions, suited more to guard LeBron," big man Al Horford told the media. "We have a lot more bodies to take on that challenge." Boston is 7-0 SU at home in the playoffs.
The pick: The Celtics have thrived as underdogs this postseason and they get a chance to relish the role again when they take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final for the second straight season, beginning with Game 1 on Sunday in Boston. Will it be any different this time around? Cleveland won three games at Boston by an average of 30 points in last season's conference finals and also won by 22 at TD Garden in the most recent matchup between the teams Feb. 11. LBJ seeks his eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals. It is that inevitable? Maybe not but I will take the Cavs in Game 1 (Cavs are 9-3 at TD Garden the last four regular seasons), making them a 10* play.