LeBron Hosts C's At "The Q"

by CelticBalla32 on Nov 27, 2007 11:45 AM EST in Boston Celtics Games

(11-1)

(8-6)

Tuesday, November 27
7:00 PM ET
TV: NBA TV & CSN
Quicken Loans Arena

The 11-1 Celtics will begin their journey tonight with a trip to "The Q" in Cleveland, to take on LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t gotten off to as peachy a start as they had hoped. Before the players even hit the hardwood, distractions were brewed due to contract negotiations with both Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. Terms were eventually worked out with Pavlovic, but relations are worsening by the day with Varejao, per reports. On top of that, Cleveland won just five of their first 11 games and the injury bug has bit the team hard this month.

All problems aside, there have been two big bright spots for the Cavs. The first one is 32-year-old center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has put up double-digit rebounding numbers in 11 of 14 games, and has held respectable averages of 14.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per contest. The other bright spot isn’t really a surprise, but you’re still "wowed" by his talents. LeBron James has gotten off to his best individual start to a season in his career, holding averages of 31.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. Those numbers include two straight triple-doubles, and four this month. King James has made us all drop our jaws once or twice, but it looks as though the young phenom is making yet another big leap by re-tooling his jump shot and improving defensively.

With that said, LeBron is going to have to have the game of his life if he wants to get past the Boston Celtics this year – or even tonight. The Celtics are currently the best team in the NBA at 11-1, and are still leading the league in FG% and FG% defense. Cleveland may, however, come out with a little extra fire after the Celtics blew them out 114-89 on national TV in the preseason finale about a month ago. This should be an interesting battle, especially with both of these clubs being respected two of the best defensive teams in the Eastern Conference.

Will LeBron put up his third straight triple-double? Will Cleveland keep the winning streak alive? Will Boston keep rolling? Make sure you tune it to reveal these answers, this should be a good one.

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Projected Starters

C Kendrick Perkins / Zydrunas Ilgauskas
PF Kevin Garnett / Drew Gooden
SF Paul Pierce / LeBron James
SG Ray Allen / Sasha Pavlovic
PG Rajon Rondo / Daniel Gibson

Key Matchup: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James

Do I really need to elaborate on this? Over the past few years, each Celtics/Cavs matchup has turned into nothing more or less than the "Pierce vs. LeBron show." The most memorable matchup was on February 15, 2006. The Celtics and Cavs went into double-overtime in the TD BankNorth Garden and the arena was sparked by the duel of the season. Pierce put up a career-high 50 points and James ended with 42 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and the victory. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into a 1-on-1 showing, but it should be fun to watch these two perennial All-Stars go at it.

Celtics X-Factor: Centers

Sure, James Posey is key off the bench for defensive purposes on LeBron James, but Kendrick Perkins and even Scot Pollard will play a big role tonight as well. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has gotten off to a great start, as mentioned above, but I’m not concerned about the numbers he’s putting up. I’m concerned about his size – he’s humungous! Perk will need to stay out of foul trouble and Pollard will need to put a body on him for 8-10 serviceable minutes off the bench.

Injury Report

BOS – Ray Allen (rolled ankle – day-to-day)
BOS – Tony Allen (bruised left thigh – day-to-day)
CLE – Larry Hughes (bruised left leg)
CLE – Donyell Marshall (sprained right wrist)
CLE – Cedric Simmons (sprained ankle)
CLE – Demetris Nichols (back spasms)

Celtics Keys to the Game

Don’t Let LeBron Dominate
Limit Turnovers
Consistent Ball Movement (48 minutes)
Man Up On "Z"
Better Shot Selection

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Comments

Lot of keys with LeBron, stop his dribble and do not let him fast break to often. I would like to see Posey match up against LeBron for most of the game they are the same height and he can slow him down when they are in the 1/2 court offense it will be harder for LeBron to pass over or around Posey. Pierce can play the 2 and 3 tonight Ray if healthy enough can play the point at times and the 2. Rondo will still get plenty of minutes you might have to play House a little less or rest Ray more because of the ankle then House can play. I would like to see Baby and Powe play Gooden when KG is not it.

by CelticsWin on Nov 27, 2007 2:51 PM EST reply actions

how do u watch a nationally televised game on nba tv? is that just the main channel of nba tv or would u have to order that if u dont live in the boston area?

by stany on Nov 27, 2007 3:13 PM EST reply actions

This is going to be a great game. LeBron is my favorite player to watch and he’s playing against my favorite team. I’m rooting for LeBron to have a big night – 42, 15, and 12 – and still lose by 20!

by migit on Nov 27, 2007 5:09 PM EST reply actions

So let’s do an imaginary over/under on the number of times LeBron gets to the foul line tonight. I’ll bet three matchbooks that he goes to the line AT LEAST 15 times, with about half of those coming on plays where he throws himself into a defender to draw fouls, or phantom calls where he flops like a wounded halibut after taking a shot and the ref blows a late whistle.

Games involving LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are the equivalent of pro wrestling, where everthing is carefully choreographed to make it look like actual fighting, but it isn’t. You think you have tuned in to a real basketball game but instead you are treated to choreography that mimics basketball in the same way that the staged brawl in a Western movie mimics a real life bar fight.

Well, I suppose that’s why they have the Sci Fi channel and Turner Classic Movies.

by Brickowski on Nov 27, 2007 5:42 PM EST reply actions

Agreed Brick,

I thought that Dwight Howard might be developing those powers as well after the Boston Vs. Orlando game.

by PlayScalabrine on Nov 27, 2007 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Message time- we beat the Cavs by 6 in a hard fought contest.

by bceltfan on Nov 27, 2007 6:00 PM EST reply actions

greenfan said:
Agreed Brick,

I thought that Dwight Howard might be developing those powers as well after the Boston Vs. Orlando game.

I felt the same way. Howard is rapidly becoming one of the annointed. If a guys is young, talented and stays away from drugs, guns and paternity suits, the league bends over backwards to make that player successful. I root for guys like that too, but at some point it ceases to be basketball.

If LeBron earns his triple doubles, then more power too him. If the officials hand him the triple doubles, then I don’t particularly care to watch.

by Brickowski on Nov 27, 2007 7:01 PM EST reply actions