King James Hosts the Big Two

by CelticBalla32 on Feb 5, 2008 11:50 AM EST in Boston Celtics Games

(36-8)

(26-20)

Tuesday, February 5
7:00 PM ET
TV: CSN
Quicken Loans Arena

Kevin Garnett has missed three straight games since straining an abdominal muscle against his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, on January 25. The Celtics fell short in Orlando in their first game without Garnett, but managed to rack up back-to-back victories following the heartbreaker against the Magic. Two days after that loss, they blew out the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena without Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen (flu) in uniform. Shortly after, in Allen’s return to the lineup, the men in green did what everybody was waiting for them to do – take out a Western Conference powerhouse. They did just that, beating the Dallas Mavericks 96-90, and they got the job done without their best player – Kevin Garnett – in uniform. If that doesn’t open your eyes and tell you that this team is for real, I don’t know what to tell you.

These Cleveland Cavaliers are no slouch, either. Winners in eight of their last 10 games, they are currently the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. There are many small reasons why, but the biggest reason is very obvious – LeBron James. In those last 10 games, James held averages of 33.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Within that time, he also completely took over the fourth quarter in Portland on January 30. James got irritated with a fan sitting courtside, who was in the NBA All-Star’s ear all night long. By the time the fourth quarter hit, "King James" had finally had enough. He exploded for 17 fourth-quarter points, including three three-pointers and the game winning power-drive that gave Cleveland the 84-83 victory. Let’s face it, LeBron James is downright scary.

The shorthanded Celtics will have their work cut out for them tonight. Let’s hope they can get payback on LeBron and spark up another winning streak.

Projected Starters

C Kendrick Perkins / Zydrunas Ilgauskas
PF Brian Scalabrine / Drew Gooden
SF Paul Pierce / LeBron James
SG Ray Allen / Ira Newble
PG Rajon Rondo / Larry Hughes

Key Matchup: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron James

There really is no explanation needed. These two are arguably the top two small forwards in the game, and both are among the top natural scorers in the NBA. They’ve had their duels in the past, and while we don’t want tonight’s game to turn into a 1-on-1 matchup between James and Pierce, it sure will be fun to watch these two go at it.

Celtics X-Factor: Energy

The C’s have to out-hustle Cleveland tonight. They are on a roll and the Celtics are shorthanded up front, meaning that "Big Z" could cause a lot of problems. As long as they outwork the Cavs, however, they should be OK. Let’s go Celtics, show some heart.

Injury Report

BOS – Kevin Garnett (strained abdomen – out)
BOS – Scot Pollard (score left ankle – doubtful)
CLE – Sasha Pavlovic (sprained left foot - out)
CLE – Anderson Varejao (sprained left ankle - out)

Celtics Keys to the Game

Don’t Let LeBron Dominate
Win the Rebounding Column
Consistent Ball Movement (48 minutes)
Limit Turnovers
Energy

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I haven’t felt this depressed since the Bruins lost to the Canadiens in 79 on a too many men on the ice call. Bill B. blew that game.

by The Real Large James on Feb 5, 2008 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Pats shmats.

It’s over.

More importantly, where’s KG?

I haven’t seen him since the Minnesota game.
Has he been behind the bench and I’m just not seeing him?

by mcpu40 on Feb 5, 2008 1:54 PM EST reply actions

this game,win or lose, is a good test of our team and what it’s made of. so far this season there has been no give up to this team which feels so good compared to last year. this time last year we were still in our 18 game skid, giving up one game after another.

by nazzbo on Feb 5, 2008 2:19 PM EST reply actions

The Big Two? Not ‘Rondo and the Rondettes’???

-sw

by Steve Weinman on Feb 5, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Pierce is a nice defensive presence to help limit James—which means what these days, limiting him to 27? ;D

But I’m more interested to see Posey (the designated swingman stopper) on LeBron. Great offense vs. great defense! It should be a real treat!

And darn those NBA schedulers for the overlap this game will have with the suddenly-much-more-interesting Lakers-Nets contest tonight!

by BeeBeard on Feb 5, 2008 4:19 PM EST reply actions

If the calls are even handed the C’s should win, even without KG..CBalla great post..and you’re right energy and ball movement are the keys…

by Fastbreak on Feb 5, 2008 5:09 PM EST reply actions

If the calls are even handed the C’s should win,

;D :D
The primadonna has never played an NBA game where the calls are close to even handed.

In Cleveland, we’ll have to be up 20 in the middle of the 4th quarter to have a good chance at winning.

by iowa plowboy on Feb 5, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions

Poor Tony Allen is going to play great defense on LeBron and still foul out in about 6 sinutes. Such is the state of today’s NBA.

by Brickowski on Feb 5, 2008 5:52 PM EST reply actions

This game isn’t a test of anything. Without LBJ, the Cavs are like us last year in those 18 games without Pierce, except they’re even worse. With LBJ, anything can happen. Agree with both Brick and Plowboy: you need a cushion against the Cavs (if LBJ is playing), otherwise, you’re at the mercy of the Donaghys—I mean, the refs—particularly in the 4th quarter.

by Eeyore III on Feb 5, 2008 6:16 PM EST reply actions