Game: Cavs (64-15) vs. Boston Celtics (60-19)
Broadcast: TV: ABC (WEWS Channel 5). Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters: Cavs: LeBron James (F); Ben Wallace (F); Zydrunas Ilguaskas (C); Delonte West (G); Mo Williams (G). Celtics: Paul Pierce (F); Glen Davis (F); Kendrick Perkins (C); Ray Allen (G); Rajon Rondo (G).
Injured and inactive: Cavs: J.J. Hickson (back). Boston: Kevin Garnett (knee); Leon Powe (strained right knee).
Officials: Scott Foster, Bill Kennedy and Ed Malloy.
Streaking: The Cavs have won three consecutive; Boston has won six in a row.
Things to look for:
- The Cavaliers need to play attention to Glen ‘’Big Baby’’ Davis. Although Garnett has been out, Davis has averaged almost 15 points in his last five games. That’s something that bears watching throughout the playoffs as well because the Celtics and Cavs have a realistic shot at facing one another.
- Mike Brown said before game time that his playoff rotation is pretty much set. It’s going to be important to see how it plays out against a team the caliber of the Celtics. He usually goes to Gibson and Ben first off the bench then Wally and Joe Smith will find their way there. The Celtics have owned the Cavs in the paint this year, averaging a shade over 47 points in that area in three prior games. That will have to be slashed and it will be interesting to see whether Brown’s lineup of big men, which didn’t include all four players will do.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the rumors are true, you’re jealous of red-haired white guys. George, this is the second straight Cavaliers-Celtics game you neglected to list Brian Scalabrine in your injured guys. Since the guy makes around 40% of his three-pointers, it’s fairly equivalent to Cleveland not having one of their several one-trick pony bench players. Not that it makes a difference when you’re missing both Garnett and Powe.
Great game by the Cavs today. That makes 15 games in a row where the home team has won in the Cavs-Celtics rivalry. Glad the Cavs will be the home team if we face the Celts in the playoffs.
Any word on Big Ben’s injury ? The national announcers were too busy joking around with each other to pay much attention to the game or the players.
Someone let you out of your cage, Alan?
Nah, George, my keepers give me free rein.