Cavs (9-8) at Celtics (13-2) 12/2

[FLCeltsFan]

at
Cleveland Cavaliers (9-8) at Boston Celtics (13-2) Sunday, December 2
12:30 PM ET
TV: NBA LP ch 751, CSN HD, FSN Ohio
TD Banknorth Garden



Probable Starting Lineup
PG Rajon Rondo PPG 8.7 | APG 5.4 | STL 1.5
SG Ray Allen PPG 20.4 | APG 3.6 | 3P% .381
SF Paul Pierce PPG 21.6 | RPG 5.6 | APG 5.1
PF Kevin Garnett PPG 19.9 | RPG 12 | BPG 1.6
C Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.9 | RPG 5 | BPG 1.7

Off the Bench
Eddie House, James Posey, Brian Scalabrine, Scot Pollard, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Gabe Pruitt

Injury Report
Tony Allen, thigh bruise, day to day


Probable Starting Lineup
PG Daniel Gibson PPG 11.9 | APG 2.9 | 3P% .521
SG Devin Brown PPG 6.9 | APG 1.9 | 3P% .281
SF Sasha Pavlovic PPG 8.8 | RPG 2.5 | APG 2.2
PF Drew Gooden PPG 14.7 | RPG 10 | BPG 0.6
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PPG 14.5 | RPG 11.5 | BPG 1.8

Off the Bench
Damon Jones, Dwayne Jones, Ira Newble, Eric Snow

Injury Report
Larry Hughes, Deep bone bruise, out
Donyell Marshall, sprained wrist, out
Cedric Simmons, ankle sprain, out
LeBron James, thumb sprain, day to day



Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo and Daniel Gibson are both second year point guards and both are quick and good defenders. Gibson is an excellent 3 point shooter and is shooting 52% from beyond the arc. Rondo held him to 3-12 shooting and only 1-5 beyond the arc in their last meeting. Rondo will need to defend him well again as without James, they will need Gibson's scoring.

vs
This should be a mismatch in favor of the Celtics but in the last game, Gooden was 11-15 with 24 points and 13 rebounds while Garnett had 19 points and only 5 rebounds. KG only took 2 shots in the final 9 minutes of the quarter and another 2 shots in OT. The Celtics should look to go more to KG on offense and he has to do a better job of defending Gooden.

X Factor
The X Factor in this game is LeBron James. He sat out the Raptor's game but was planning to practice on Saturday. It is obvious that the Cavs are a different team without him in the lineup. I would rather he play and the Celtics beat the Cavs at full steam rather than have an asterisk on the game. We came close to beating them with LeBron in Cleveland with the Celtics playing very poorly. We should be able to beat them with or without LeBron in Boston. However, fatigue may be a problem with 4 games in 5 nights and the travel in between.

Keys to the Game:
Team Play. In their last matchup, there was too much individual play and not enough team play. They have to play team ball, make the extra pass, and find the open man. They can't get caught up in iso's and trying to to too much individually.

Defense. The Cavs got too many open looks and easy baskets in the last meeting. The Celtics have to defend the paint as well as the perimeter. The Cavs have several excellent 3-point shooters and the Celtics have to guard them out beyond the arc. The Celtics tend to give up way too many easy 3's to teams. They allowed the Heat to get back into the game from beyond the arc, leaving Jason Williams open time after time. They also have to keep the Cavs out of the paint and not give up so many easy baskets inside.

Rebound. The Celtics were out rebounded 47-40 in their last meeting. The only reason for the Celtics to be out rebounded is if they aren't putting out the effort it takes to box out and grab the rebounds. The Celtics have to be aggressive on the boards and put the effort out to limit the Cavs second chance points.

Use the Home Court Advantage The Garden is becoming one of the toughest places for teams to play. The crowd has been loud and has given the Celtics a boost with their energy. This game is for revenge and so the crowd should be loud and give the Celtics a lift to get them past the Cavs.

Get the Ball Inside. By the end of games, it seems like all of the jumpers are flat and stop falling, yet we still settle for jumpers. They need to get the ball inside and either get the shot or draw the foul. They need to go to KG inside more at the end of games and drive to the basket instead of settling for jumpers when their legs just aren't there to hit them.

Game Notes.
The Cavs have lost their last two games without James. He is listed as day to day and may or may not play. The Cavs want to send a message to the Celtics that they are still the team to beat in the East so if there is any way LeBron can play, I expect him to be in the game.

The Celtics are completing 4 games in 5 days. The Knicks game was a laugher and the starters got plenty of rest, but the Heat game was a hard fought game to the end with Ray Allen again playing over 40 minutes. . Add to that the travel to and from Cleveland and Miami, and fatigue may figure into this game for the Celtics.

The Celtics are undefeated at home and so they have something to play for. Hopefully they will come out with energy and not let up. In the first game against the Cavs, they came out flat and then played catch up all game. Against the Heat, they came out with energy but then let up on defense and got away from the game plan and let the Heat get back into the game. They will need to play with intensity for 48 minutes.

[FLCeltsFan]

Dickerson just announced that LeBron won't be playing today. I don't trust those reports from the opposing coaches though. They tell you that he won't be playing and then put him in at the last minute to throw off your defenses. I will believe that he isn't playing when I see him in a suit on the bench.

I would rather beat them with LeBron because now this game will have an asterisk on it.

Tony Allen is expected to play today.

[FLCeltsFan]

LeBron is definitely out. He is on the bench in a suit. Posey is doing his hugs. and Mike Gorman is all covered with a towel as KG does the powder all over him. Perk jumping against Z. Perk gets the tip but they blow the whistle for some reason and start over. This time Z gets the tip. KG with a monster block on the Cavs first shot and Cavs with a 24 second violation. KG and the ref are both retying their shoes on the side. Celtics inbound. KG gets the ball inside and hits a short jumper in the paint. Pavlovic takes it to the hoop and misses the layup but Z is tthere for the put back. KG misses a short jumper and Z rebounds. Cavs miss a jumper and KG rebounds. Z gets a piece of Perk's hook shot on the baseline and Cavs come away with it. PP comes away with the ball ahead to Ray Allen who takes it to the hoop for a layup. Pavlovic misses a jumper and Z and Rondo chase down the ball. Rondo watches it going out of bounds but Z lunges and knocks it out off Rondo. 3 second violation on the Cavs. KG with a pass over the top to PP inside for a layup. Pavlovic takes it stron g to the hoop and lays it in. KG misses and tips it twice and misses Cavs come away with it. Rondo called for a foul inside on Gooden who goes to the line. He hits both FTs. PP drives into the paint and draws a foul as he backs over Z. He hits both FTs. Cavs quickly pass the ball upcourt and get it inside to Gooden for a layup. Perk called for a travel as he tries to get past Z to the hoop. Z with a turn around in the lane over Perk. PP gets into the lane and tries to pass through the double to Perk but it goes out of bounds. Perk with a block out of bounds. Cavs inbound with 13 on the SC. Gooden misses a jumper and KG rebounds. Rondo called for palming for the second turnover in the last 3 possessions. Perk slaps the ball away and Celtics come back. PP called for an offensive foul as he drives to the hoop. Z misses a fallaway over Perk. Gooden tips the rebound out to Gibson. Cavs miss and Celtics rebound. KG gets the ball in the paint and drops off to Perk for a layup. Cavs miss and Celtics rebound. PP misses a 3 and Cavs rebound. Celtics get it back and RA hits a baseline jumper. Cavs miss a 3 and Celtics rebound. Perk with a nice pass to a a cutting RA for a layup.

Time out with Boston up 14-12 and 4:16 left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Cavs inbound. defensive 3 second violation on the Celtics. Gibson misses the T. Cavs inbound with 14 on the SC. Gooden hits a tough shot over KG at the SC. KG misses a tough shot in the paint after a couple of fakes. Cavs rebound. Cavs miss and get the O regound. Cavs miss and Perk rebounds but turns it over on the outlet pass. Big Baby and Posey in for the Celtics. Davis playing Gooden and KG moves to center while Posey is on former Celtic Dwayne Jones. Davis called for his first foul. Time out with score tied at 14 and 2:53 left in the first

[FLCeltsFan]

Cavs inbound on the side with 14 on the SC. Cavs throw it away on a cross court pass that goes out of bounds. Celtics lose the ball out of bounds on a bad pass. Gooden gets the ball inside and Posey is called for a foul over the back. Gooden misses the FT and rebound goes out of bounds to Boston. House comes in for Rondo. PP shoots an airball in the paint and Cavs rebound. Cavs miss and Celtics rebound. RA misses from the corner and Davis battles for the rebound but Cavs come away with it. Cavs miss and House rebounds. House gets the ball to RA who is cutting on the baseline and he lays it in and draws the foul. RA hits the FT. Tony comes in for PP. Celtics deflect the ball out of bounds. Cavs inbound with 10 on the SC. Posey deflects the ball out with 3 on the SC. They shoot and miss and there is a struggle for the rebound. Tony grabs it but is called for a carry. Gibson takes it to the hoop and gets away with a walk before laying it in and drawing a foul on Davis. He hits the FT. Doc up and yelling to Davis to take the charge. House gets it inside to Posey who is mugged and his layup is blocked. Cavs come away with it. Davis with a huge block at the buzzer to end the quarter with Cavs up 19-17. Cavs are playing very good defense and the Celtics tend to struggle against strong defensive teams.

[FLCeltsFan]

Celtics had 7 turnovers in the quarter. House, Posey, Scal, Big Baby and Tony start the 2nd. House misses a jumper. Posey tips the rebound but Cavs come away with it. Damon jones hits a 3 off the catch. Tony akes it to the hoop and misses a layup. Davis misses the tip. Tony misses a tip. Cavs come away with it. Davis called for a foul on Z as he shoots on the baseline. He hits the first and misses the second. Posey rebounds. Celtics are walking it up and not pushing the pace at all. Davis gets the ball inside from House and he lays it in and draws the foul. He hits the FT to cut the lead to 3. Z gets the ball inside and Scal lunges at him and is called for a foul. He had just caught the ball and wasn't shooting but they gave him 2 shots. He hits the first and misses the second. Celtics rebound. House miisses a jumper. Jones rebounds. Big Baby with a steal as he gets in the passing lane. Tony drives the lane and kicks it back out to Scal who misses a jumper at the SC. Celtics called for a foul. KG comes back in for Scal. Cavs inbound with 15 on the ?SC. Jones misses and Davis gets the rebound. KG finds Tony on a cut but he misses the layup and Cavs rebound. Pavlovic misses at the hoop and Tony rebounds. Posey is fouled as he takes it to the hoop. Time out with 8:24 left in the half and Cavs up 24-20

[FLCeltsFan]

Z called for a Technical foul. House at the line. He hits the T. Posey goes to the line shooting 2. He hits both FTs and the Celtics are back within 1. Jones is called for an offensive foul as Big Baby takes the charge. He had a look on his face like "what hit me?" as his teammates pulled him up. Celtics miss and Cavs rebound. Cavs miss and KG grabs the rebound. Celtics miss and Cavs rebound. Jones takes it baseline and lays it in. KG misses a layup and Cavs track down the rebound. KG called for his first foul. Pierce comes in for Tony. Gooden hits a jumper. Pierce turns it over. Gooden takes it down the lane for a big dunk. Cavs are up by 7. Posey fakes the 3 and takes it to the hoop and hits a short shot and draws the foul. He hits the FT. Pavolovic has it stripped by PP under the basket but he gets it back and Gooden is there to lay it in. PPP is fouled and time out with 5:31 left in the half and Cavs up 32-26. I really expected better play from the Celtics to start this game. They look a bit listless and the Cavs defense is taking them out of the game. They are giving up too many easy shots at the hoop and not getting the rebounds.

[FLCeltsFan]

Rondo and Perk come back in. Only starter on the bench is RA. PP at the line and back rims the first FT. He hits the second. Posey stays on the floor with Perk, PP, KG, and Rondo. defensive 3 second violation on KG. Z hits the T. Z shoots an airball and Celtics rebound. RA misses a 3. PP rebounds and lays it in. Time out with Cavs up 33-31 and 4:04 left in the half

[FLCeltsFan]

Comcast has lost video and all we have is audio. Video is back. Cavs miss from the corner. Cavs pounding the offensive glass but it gets tipped out and Celtics come away with it. Rondo takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Gibson misses and Perk rebounds. KG is fouled inside by Gooden. the first FT rattles in and around the rim and through. He misses the second Cavs rebound. PP pokes the ball away and RA takes it to the hoop for a layup. Snow hits a jumper. KG passes the ball to PP who was held but no call. Celtics inbound and PP misses a 3. Gooden rebounds. Z misses and KG rebounds. RA gets into the lane and is hit on the arm as he misses a jumper. no call. Cavs come away with the rebound. Cavs miss from the corner and Rondo rebounds. KG takes the ball to the hoop and lays it in and is fouled by Z. He misses the FT and Cavs rebound. Perk called for a foul, his first. Z hits both FTs. PP misses a short jumper in the lane and Z rebounds. Rondo with a steal and Gooden shoves him out of bounds so Rondo goes to the line. He misses the first and hits the second. Cavs miss from the corner. Perk rebounds. RA misses and Perk tracks down the rebound just before it goes out of bounds and he passes to Pierce a tthe top of the arc. PP gets it to KG who is cutting in the lane and he is fouled. KG hits the first and Posey comes in for Perk. He hits the second FT. Cavs inbound and look for the final shot. Cavs get away with two palming violations and then they call PP for a foul. Technical called on Pierce and Technical called on Doc by a young official. Z hits both T's. The call on Pierce was a bad call and then he compounded it with the 2 T's. Snow at the line front rims the first. He hits the second. Celtics get it back with 7 on the SC. Rondo takes it to the hoop and is fouled with 1.5 on the clock. He hits the first and 20 second time out called. Rondo hits the second FT. Cavs inbound with 1.5 and Gibson's half court shot is short and Score at the half is Celtics 43 and Cavs 39

[cfoo]

Not the prettiest of halfs. Seems like we are lacking a little motivation with lebron out and it being an early game.

[FLCeltsFan]

Celtics inbound to start the 3rd and RA hits a straight away 3. Perk called for his 2nd foul. Cavs inbound with 14 on the SC. Offensive foul on Pavlovic as Rondo is plowed over at the top of the arc. KG's jumper rims in and out. Cavs rebound. PP with a steal. Ball is kicked out of bounds by Z and Celtics inound on the side with 14 on the SC. RA misses a 3 and Z rebounds. Pavlovic with a back door cut to the hoop and a dunk. KG goes into the lane and misses a short hook Cavs rebound. Cavs miss and KG rebounds. RA takes it to the hoop and lays it in. Pass is deflected out of bounds by PP. Cavs inbound and Gibson hits a jumper. Rondo misses a floater in the lane and Z rebounds. Carry finally called on Gibson. KG misses a baseline jumper and Z rebounds. RA with a steal and he takes it to the hoop and drops it off to KG who is the trailer and he is fouled as he misses a layup. KG hits both FTs. Z misses on the baseline as Perk bothers hit shot. PP leaps out of bounda and saves it into Allen. Rondo take it to the hoop and lays it in. Gooden misses and Perk tips the rebound to RA. KG called for an offensive foul under the basket. KG called for a foul and yells an expletive loud enough for all to hear. Gooden misses the first. He misses the second and Perk rebounds. PP drives around Pavlovic and hits a scoop shot. They call a foul on the Cavs but don't give him the continuation so Celtics will inbound. Time out with Boston up 52-44 and 5:57 left in the third

[FLCeltsFan]

Rondo called for a carry. Cavs walk it up. Rondo blocks Gibson's shot and Celtics come away with it. Rondo hits a pull up jumper. Z misses on the baseline and PP rebounds. Rondo hits a jumper from the FT line. Time out with Celtics up 56-44 and 4:51 left in the third

[FLCeltsFan]

Cavs bring it up and the crowd is finally making some noise. Pavlovic takes it baseline and lays it in. KG misses on the baseline and Perk rebounds and is fouled. He hits the first and Big Baby comes in for KG. Perk hits the second. Davis is on Gooden and Perk on JOnes. Davis pokes the ball away from Gooden. Gooden is called for a technical foul complaining about the non call. Davis did hit him so he had a point.. RA hits the T. Celtics inbound and Celtics miss. Davis rebounds and then turns it over with a hard pass inside. Cavs miss and Davis rebounds. Davis goes baseline and hits a hook shot. Gibson hits a jumper. RA brings the ball up. He misses a 3 and Cavs rebound. Jones misses a 3 from the corner. Rondo rebounds. RA misses a jumper and Cavs rebound. Gooden misses a layup but Jones is there for the put back. Rondo drives to the hoop and misses a layup but is fouled. Rondo front rims the first and hits the second FT. Cavs miss on the baseline and RA rebounds. Rondo gets hit hard in the face by a kicked ball. He is ok. Rondo misses a fall away and Davis gets the rebound and put back. Cavs misss and Posey rebounds. Celtics get the ball inside to Big Baby for a layup at the buzzer. Refs say no basket. Hopefully they will review it because it looked good. Score at the end of 3 is Boston 64 and Cleveland 50 The officiating has really been bad tonight with bad calls for both sides.

[FLCeltsFan]

No basket and that was a good call. It was close but just a fraction of a second late. Cavs in bound to start the 4th. Pavlovic misses a 3 and Tony tracks down the rebound. House fumbles the ball but recovers and passes in to Posey who is all alone under the basket for a layup. Z misses a fall away Posey rebounds. House hits a leaner from the FT line. Time out with Celtics up 68 - 50 and 10:47 left in the 4th

[cfoo]

Dominating 2nd half. I'm amazed how well the bench is playing. Big Baby! This team is rolling....... What amazes is we didn't even play well at all in teh 1st half and we have a lot to improve but we just came out the 2nd half and put them away. We won't be able to do that against a cavs team with lebron, but as long as we know that. Pierce, Allen, Garnett getting a good rest the past few games......