Cavaliers (1-5) at Celtics (3-3) 10/26

[FLCeltsFan]

at

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
Friday, October 26
7:30 pm Eastern
TV: Comcast SportsNet, ESPN
TD Banknorth Garden



Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins

Off the Bench:

House/TAllen/Powe/Davis




Probable Starters

PG: Damon Jones
SG: Larry Hughes
SF: LeBron James
PF: Drew Gooden
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Off the Bench

Marshall/Brown/Newble/Simmons

Key Matchups
vs
As we saw in the Knicks game, having Perk up front is very important to this team especially when teams have strong centers. KG certainly agrees that having Perk in the middle is important. He had this to say on Celtics.com:

That said, Garnett would rather play with Perk in the paint, and to that end, he's prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure Perkins is ready to take the floor Friday night.
"I'm making sure Perk gets up early, and [checking] if he needs extra ice," said Garnett. "If I have to ice him myself..."

vs
This is a match up of stars and Pierce always enjoys this type of challenge. Pierce has been talking a lot about improving his defense and concentrating on that area this season and this will be the first big test in that area. He will definitely need help and so this is a test of the team defense as well. Pierce has been the go to guy in several of the preseason games and so he may make LeBron work on the other end as well.

Game Notes: Perk went through an entire practice without any ill effects and is expected to play in this game. This should be a dress rehearsal for the regular season, although I expect the starters minutes to be limited somewhat. The Cavs are somewhat short handed with Gibson and Snow out with injuries and Pavlovic and Varejao still haggling over contracts. The Cavs are playing on the second of back to back games and were beaten quite handily by the Raptors in the first. They certainly aren't the same team that got to the finals last season. They have won only 1 game this preseason and hopefully we will keep it that way.

Keys to the game:
Defense: We have to develop a defensive identity if we expect to get anywhere this season.
Contain LeBron: LeBron is their top player and can take over games himself if teams let him. Containing him is the key to winning the game.
Passing: We got away from moving the ball in the last couple of games and it showed in the results. With the starters back in the lineup, we should be able to get back to moving the ball and finding the open man.
Control the Paint: With Perk back in the lineup, we should be able to control the paint and keep the Cavs from getting easy baskets.

[DERRENMATTS]

By the way, this game is going to be televised on ESPN, for those who didn't know. I'm giddy for this game. I like watching Lebron play.

[FLCeltsFan]

I don't think I need to do a play by play for this game because it is on ESPN so I guess everyone can watch. But will add comments here and there.

[FLCeltsFan]

CSN is blacked out so I have to watch the ESPN game also. I would much rather watch Mike and Tommy.

[FLCeltsFan]

I love the way KG spreads the powder over the broadcasters. Good start. I love Perk!! Good to see him out there again!

[FLCeltsFan]

Perk with the O Rebound and pretty assist!! PERK!!! Nice shot in the lane. I tell you... Perk is going to be a difference maker this season!!!

[FLCeltsFan]

I LOVE PERK!!!!!

[FLCeltsFan]

Pretty impressive so far.

[cfoo]

I forgot we were playing. Just turned it on. I like that Davis is in there with the starters.

[cfoo]

And he hits a nice layin on queue.

[FLCeltsFan]

Loved how they showed Garnett and Big Baby all fired up after Big Baby's layup.

[cfoo]

House, Posey and DAvis has the makings of a good bench to me.... With TA, Scal, Powe, Pollard and whoever else mixed in. We need another guard ala Pruitt and another big man if Pollard can't be that though.

[cfoo]

We look like a different team tonight. The offense looks good. Perk and Rondo are working it.

[cfoo]

Well that was played like a regular season game for the most part. Nice job by the C's. If we can play focused like that, and keep improving on both ends we will be ok. If Doc does his rotations similar to what we had, tonight and we keep improving on the offense and defense we should be fine. I like what Doc did with the rotation for the most part. The offensive and defensive philosophy was there tonight. Just need to keep improving it.

I love how Perk and Rondo played in particular. I also love how Tommy was making fun of the people who say Rondo has to shoot. Rondo should rarely ever take an outside shot imo. He should play like he did tonight and be a creator and a distributor and a force on d and just be a finisher when scoring either slashing or on the break. KG is quite a player... We really saw all he can do tonight. Pierce was being pierce and Allen was being Allen as well. I like what we did all around. Each guy was in their role. House, Posey and Davis showed what they can off the bench. Even TA and Scal got in a little bit. TA had a few nice drives and was in his role. I kind of like the combination of TA and Posey. TA is more the slasher where Posey can spot up. The same goes for Scal and Davis. It's going to be interesting how we incorporate guys like Powe and Pollard and everyone ultimately.

I also like what Donny MArshall said about us not having to be a fast break team. Our offense should be centered around KG and the halfcourt but we just need to pick our spots and be aggressive in doing that and I agree. What we did tonight was good. Just keep improving it.

[cfoo]

The one thing we are going to have to contend with are more physical teams. With Perk we are a different team and should be alright with that. When the officials aren't calling it like against the knicks teh other night we might struggle against very physical teams especially if Perk or Davis arent available. I think we are capable of being a very physical team though and if we are going to win a championship we are going to need to be. We were pretty much able to have our way with the cavs tonight and out muscle and outquick them. Watching Ilgauskis trying to stay with KG at one point was not fair. Perk was completely dominating inside as well.