Celtics Take on Cavaliers at the Q
by FLCeltsFan on Jan 9, 2009 3:30 PM EST
25 comments
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers, Jan 9, 2009 8:00 PM EST
at 
Boston Celtics (29-8) at Cleveland Cavaliers (28-6)
Friday, January 9
8:00 PM ET
Game #37, Road Game #18
TV: ESPN, FS Ohio HD, CSN HD
Quicken Loans Arena
Game Thread l Chat
Cavs Blogs Fear the Sword l Cavalier Attitude
This game is not just another game. The fans know that. The players know that. The Cavaliers are the Celtics biggest competition at this point for home court advantage and for the Eastern Conference championship. With the Celtics struggling, the Cavs have moved into first place in the east by half a game. A win here would put the Celtics back in first place and give them a mental advantage over the Cavs. A win for the Cavs would put them up 1.5 games over the Celtics and give them the mental advantage. Let's not forget the Magic, who are just half a game behind the Celtics and so the Celtics could fall into 3rd place, not just second. This is a big game and both teams know it.
These two teams last met on opening night when the Cavs visited the Garden and came away with a 90-85 loss. Both teams started off strong and the Cavs continue to play very well while the Celtics have been slumping. The Cavs are 18-0 at home and the Celtics are 11-6 on the road. Boston has lost six straight regular-season games in Cleveland, its last win there was on Dec. 15, 2005.
The Cavs have taken a page out of the Celtics' Championship book and have been beating teams with defense. They are holding opponents to NBA lows of 89.2 points and 41.5% shooting on their home court. They rank number 1 over all in points allowed at 89.4, so they are playing well both at home and on the road. The Celtics struggles on the road have been well documented and they must get their defensive swagger and their team play and aggressiveness back if they hope to win this game. If not, it could be a very ugly loss for the green.
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 10.9 RPG 4.70 APG 7.5 
SG: Ray Allen PPG 17.7 RPG 3.50 APG 2.8 
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 19.5 RPG 5.60 APG 3.7 
PF: Kevin Garnett PPG 16.1 RPG 8.90 APG 2.6 
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 8.7 RPG 8.30 BPG 1.8
Injuries:
Tony Allen (ankle) out
Kevin Garnett (leg) will play
Coach: Mike Brown
Average Age: 27.0
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 227
Probable Starters
PG: Mo Williams PPG 15.7 RPG 3.30 APG 4.1 
SG: Delonte West PPG 12.2 RPG 3.00 APG 3.6 
SF: LeBron James PPG 27.4 RPG 6.60 APG 6.6 
PF: Ben Wallace PPG 3.3 RPG 7.10 APG 0.7 
C: Anderson Varejao PPG 9.4 RPG 7.20 BPG .7
Injured
Eric Snow (knee) out
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (ankle) out
Matchups to Watch
vs 
The matchup between Paul Pierce and LeBron James is always an entertaining one and is one of the best matchups in the league. Pierce is one of the few Celtics who has continued to play at a high level during the Celtics' recent slump. You know that LeBron is going to be hyped for this game and hopefully Pierce will be as well. 
vs 
Rondo has been struggling lately and that could be part of the reason for the team's struggles. Rondo outplayed Williams in their first matchup on opening night but Williams has had a couple of months to get more familiar with the Cavs' system and I am sure he is hoping to turn the tables and get the better of Rondo in this game.
Honorable Mention:
Kevin Garnett vs Ben Wallace
Wallace is typically not an offensive and so KG won't have to work quite as hard on the defensive end. KG has been starting off great in games but seems to fade by the end. Hopefully he can put in a good game from start to finish in this one.
Keys to the Game
Defense, Defense, Defense - The Celtics have abandoned the defense that made them so successful last season and during their win streak this season. That defense has been missing during their current slump. The Cavs are averaging 105.5 points at home and so the Celtics must find their defensive intensity once more. They can't allow the Cavs to get to the basket at will and they must also defend the perimeter as the Cavs are a good 3 point shooting team. Defense is going to make the difference in this game. The Cavs will be playing it and it is up to the Celtics to get back to playing it as well.
Limit Turnovers The Cavs are second in the league in converting points off turnovers at 19.4 per game. (the Lakers are #1). The Celtics are dead last in committing turnovers per game and if they continue to turn the ball over at their league leading pace, teams like the Cavs will make them pay.
Rebound The Celtics were out rebounded by the Rockets and that shows a lack of effort on their part in battling inside and boxing out and getting position. Rebounding numbers indicate effort and desire and for the Celtics it hasn't been there. They must limit the Cavs second chance efforts and at the same time they have to get offensive rebounds to give themselves more opportunities to score.
Focus It seems that the Celtics have lost focus especially in the 4th quarter of recent games. When teams press them, when their shots stop falling, they seem to lose their focus and start tossing up jumpers instead of looking for the extra pass or taking the ball inside. They need to focus on team ball and not allow teams to take them out of their game.
X-Factor
Fatigue vs Desire
The Celtics are tired. The Cavs really, really want this game. Will the Cavs desire for the win and to cement their position in first place be greater than the Celtics' fatigue? Will the Celtics desire to beat their closest rival be greater than their aches, pains, and tiredness? We are about to find out.
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"This game is not just another game. The fans know that. The players know that"
Call me crazy, but this is indeed just another game, this is the middle game of the season series against the cavs which we lead 1-0…if we lose, this isnt going to make or break our season anymore than the losses to the bobcats, knicks and warriors.
The 3rd and final game against these 2 teams will more than likely prove to more important imo
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 9, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LeBron disagrees with you
"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott
by Jeff Clark on Jan 9, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I know
I read that… but if we just take care of buisness against the bobcats of the world and teams missing there best players, we would still be in first place regardless of tonights outcome…unfortunately we havent dont that and now every game is important not just the one against Lebron…
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 9, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s gonna come down to one or two losses for HCA at season’s end. Owning the tie break against these guys would be huge. If both teams just win their home games, we split. That is whey tonight is so big, if we win in the Q and split the next two with them, HCA is all but sewn up (unless Orl goes on a tear.
This is without a doubt one of the most important regular season game the C’s will play all year.
by D Dub on Jan 9, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe we only play the cavs 3 times this season, 2 of them being in cleveland
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 9, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, we got them March 6th and April 12th too. 2 home, 2 away.
by D Dub on Jan 9, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, you're right
I dont know how I made that mistake…
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 9, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This isn't just another game.
This is a statement game for both teams. Of course, it isn’t the end of the season, but a win helps get things back on track, and prevents the Cavs from gaining more confidence against you. It’s going to be a fight for home court, and every head to head counts big time. Home court is HUGE. It can’t be understated. If you think “isn’t going to make or break our season anymore than the losses to the bobcats, knicks and warriors,” you’re dead wrong because the Celtics WILL play Cleveland in the playoffs, not those teams.
by wondahbap on Jan 9, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, this is a big game for HC advantage, even though the bozos on Boston sports talk radio don’t get it.
Boston had better hope for decent officiating, because the Celtics won’t win without it. In fact, they won’t even come close without it. The whole gamre will become a huge LeBron James love/publicity fest, whether he travels (and pushes off and palms the ball) or not.
by Brickowski on Jan 9, 2009 4:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, unfortunatly you’re right, its going to come down to the officials. which isnt a good thing.
the celtics seem to be complaining to much with the refs and letting it effect them on the court, they need to just shut up and play tonight regardless of the officials
by TheAncientRivalry on Jan 9, 2009 5:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
With no Ilgauskus the Celtics D really gets to clamp down on LeBron
And force Williams, West, and Varejao to beat them. I think Perkins is the key to the game. Playing against Varejao is never an easy task with his flop antics (and at home he will get the calls). If Perkins gets in early foul trouble the Cavs can run their high post offense.
Vinny Del Negro interviewed for the job today. I mean come on! Nobody else thinks this is nuts?
by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT actions actions 0 recs
by Ozzie Montana on Jan 9, 2009 5:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Perkins is the key to the game, then a loss is assured.
by Brickowski on Jan 9, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
offense matters
look, the offense matters. I am glad pp is saying what he is saying and he is right, they need that swagger back on defense. But they scored 11 points in the fourth, 11. And I don’t believe for a minute the talk about, well, we got good shots and just didn’t knock them down. The offense is bad, it lacks identity. Unless KG has a good mismatch and he is willing to exploit it then get the ball to pp when it counts, please. That is our true offensive identity (and rondo must shot or sit at times like these – ofense defense substitutions?). This team actually lets a bad defensive series affect their brains or offense. There is no excuse for this team not scoring the ball.
by chicagogreen on Jan 9, 2009 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ahh, brick, really? isnt that too easy. perk has been really good all year. that just being negative because you enjoy it. its cheap
by chicagogreen on Jan 9, 2009 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is important game.
The effect of losing to LA last xmas game was so hard and the Celtics lost the RESPECT, and been followed by more losses on mediocre Teams.
They must win in this game no matter what, let them say that it is just a game of Regular season but a WIN on this kind of team is a must. Dont forget that they (cavs,Atlanta) force Boston into 7 games last Playoff and made them believe that Boston isnt strong and solid enuff. So winning this game will put back them at the top, not only for the standing but to show them why they are the Champion.
by spoiled on Jan 9, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s scary to think what a loss to Cleveland could do to us if the LA loss sent us into a six loss tailspin. And I just don’t buy the idea that we haven’t been able to stay focused since the 19 game streak was broken. The leading virtue of this team has always been Garnett, Doc, Pierce, and Allen’s supposed ability to stay intense and keep everyone else so. They have desperately wanted to win the last few games, but just haven’t been able to. The problems run much deeper than focus and intensity — if there was switch that just needed to be flipped, it would have been when panic first set in a few losses ago.
I get the feeling that despite last year’s triumph, Rondo and Perkins haven’t been able to wholly shake the psychological damage that 2007 surely bred into them. When you are born on a team that struggles so completely — and that even probably consciously tanked in a failed attempt to land Oden/Durant — it must be hard to ever shake deep feelings of insecurity, lack of confidence, etc. I think we’re seeing that now. Rondo, despite his obvious improvement and brilliance, is fazed by his and the team’s recent struggles and has totally spiraled downhill; festering in a mental funk, unsure of his shot, turning the ball over, etc.
Tonight is the night. With a victory, the positive momentum can begin to build anew. With a loss… I shudder to think. But I hope the answer isn’t named Marbury.
by Larry.Loving. on Jan 9, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m just excited that tonight’s another chance to get it together. Seriously—I may be overly optimistic, but I will be watching . . . and hopeful.
by Thruthelookingglass on Jan 9, 2009 7:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Blazer fan just poppin' in.
Could ESPN kiss James’ butt more? Good gravy!
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 9, 2009 8:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Also,
good thing you guys have Pierce. He seems to be the only guy who has been showing up night, after night.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 9, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Blz
uh oh…. looks like someone needs a wheelchair!
by Blizzard on Jan 9, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s just another game …. but it’s a fantastic matchup and I’m excited about it.
A loss here is no less hurtful than a loss against the Knicks.
by Who on Jan 9, 2009 9:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
looking like crappy reffing and the c’s slump continues…hopefully im speaking too soon.
by spinz on Jan 9, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A novel idea
Here it is. Perhaps not groundbreaking in any way, but here we go.
Everyone else got better roster-wise, and we got worse.
The cavs added Mo Williams. The Lakers got Bynum back. The Rockets got some combination of Artest, Yao and T-Mac to play together.
We lost Posey. Instead of replacing him, we got a lackluster center in POB and we gave BRIAN SCALABRINE more minutes. Now I truly do admire scals for the effort he puts in off the bench. He is a good natured, good spirited guy, who puts a lot of heart into his game. What he is not is a good basketball player.
My point is that at the beginning of the season everyone else was adjusting to roster changes, and we were riding the momentum coming off last year’s post season. The starters were fresh, and able to shoulder the load. As the season wears on, they are going to need some help.
Part of it is also psychological. Drop a loss in LA, and a consecutive loss in GS, and you start to wonder.
I am calling for Danny Ainge to make a move, and for these guys to band together and put winning first again. PP (my favorite player in the NBA) will never be as good as LeBron and Kobe, but those guys will never put aside personal numbers for the team like Ray, Pierce and Garnett did last year.
I do not think we will win if we don’t get back on track mentally, and if the front office doesn’t start assembling a bench capable of contributing quality minutes.
Sorry for the long windedness, but these are my observations after a truly disappointing holiday season for the C’s.
by thetruth34pp on Jan 9, 2009 10:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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