Game 75 | Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics | April 5th, 2013 | 7:30 PM [EST]

[Dr. Gymbo]

(22-52)​

vs.

(39-36)

Date: April 5th, 2013
Where: TD Bank Garden, Boston, MA
Time: 7:30 pm [EST]

[video=youtube;hg_TZk45b84]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg_TZk45b84[/video]​

Watch on Fox Sports Ohio with:

Listen on WTAM with:

Coaches​

Gen.Byron Scott

vs.

Doc Rivers​

Presumed Starting Lineups (Updated 4/5/13 @ 9 AM EST)​

Vs.

Shaun Livingston

Daniel Gibson

Omri Casspi

C.J. Miles

Luke Walton

Marreese Speights​

Vs.

Jason Terry

Jordan Crawford

Courtney Lee

Terrence Williams

Kevin Garnett (?)


Injuries

Dion Waiters

Anderson Varejao​

Game Preview​

Cavaliers-Celtics Preview

Jeff Green has made quite a name for himself while helping fill in for the injured Kevin Garnett.

He may need to step up even more with Paul Pierce banged up, too.

Green looks to build on another terrific effort as the playoff-bound Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who try to avoid an 11th consecutive loss Friday night.

Green, who burst onto the scene with a career-high 43 points against Miami on March 18, came up huge again Wednesday in a 98-93 win over Detroit. The former Georgetown standout posted 34 points, six rebounds and four blocks as Boston (39-36) clinched its sixth consecutive postseason berth.

"I don't try to take over games. We have 'the Truth,'" said Green, calling Pierce by his nickname. "We feed off each other. If it's in my hands, I try to make a play. If it's in his hands, he'll try to make a play. We're playing off each other."

Averaging 23.8 points on 56.8 percent shooting over the last five games, Green has started seven straight contests and nine of 11 with Garnett sidelined by an ankle problem, and he may stay in the starting lineup even when Garnett returns.

Green could be asked to take on an even bigger load Friday with Pierce uncertain to play due to a sore right ankle.

"You have seen a lot of flashes of that this year," Pierce said of Green becoming a go-to option. "You've got a guy like Jeff who can put up big numbers like that, who can take over like that. It's fun, it's fun to watch and to be a part of."

The Celtics sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and, though unlikely, have a chance to finish as high as fourth.

"We knew we were a playoff team before the season started, despite the injuries and everything," Pierce said.

"The playoffs is a totally different game; it's nothing like the regular season. At least these guys will go out there and get their feet wet, see some shots go in, rebound the ball and get some experience."

The Celtics now turn their attention to the Cavaliers (22-52), who have been outscored by an average of 13.5 points during a 10-game skid - their longest since dropping an NBA-worst 26 straight in 2010-11.

Cleveland's woes continued Wednesday with a 113-95 loss to Brooklyn. The Cavaliers trailed by as many as 34 points and allowed the Nets to shoot a season-high 56.6 percent.

"We just didn't show any life," coach Byron Scott said. "The energy, the effort wasn't there - for whatever reason."

Playing for the second time in three games after missing eight with a shoulder injury, Kyrie Irving was held to 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

"Have I checked out? No," said Irving, averaging a team-high 23.0 points. "I'm out here playing with basically still a sprained AC joint and with not a care in the world because I just want to play. I haven't checked out. That thought has never crossed my mind."

Irving is averaging 26.0 points in five career meetings against the Celtics, tied for his second-highest mark against any opponent. He scored 40 in a 95-90 win Jan. 22, but he missed a 93-92 loss March 27. Green scored 21 points that night, including the game-winning layup as time expired.

Cleveland has lost eight of 10 in Boston, where the Celtics have won 13 of 15 overall.

What to Watch:

1.Teams Teetering With the Cavaliers losing ten games in a row and the Celtics losing seven of their last ten, both teams are slumping. Both teams are also hurting. The Celtics are expecting Kevin Garnett to return in some capacity this evening, but G/F Paul Pierce is also nursing injuries. The Cavaliers, devastated by injuries and patchwork lineups all season, must also continue to work through the dog days of the season. For the Cavaliers, the last couple weeks are more about the future with eyes on the draft lottery. For the Celtics, a team that will make the playoffs, this may be their last playoff push as constructed and it's a wide assumption that the C's don't want to face Miami in the first round.

2. Jeff Green Green has been on a tear the last few games. It will be interesting to see what the Cavaliers do to match up with him personnel wise, especially if Green is moved to the PF spot. The Celtics have used Pierce at the 2-guard spot, permitting Green to start next to him. Alonzo Gee, the team's best perimeter defender, will likely shift between Pierce and Green. But if Doc Rivers tweaks his lineups, he could cause mismatches and exploit them.

3. Byron Scott The Cavaliers coach has come under fire by fans and the media specifically. There has also been whispers from those within the organization that question Scott's desire, drive, and will to see the continued rebuild through. All eyes will be on the coach as he executes his game plan and personnel substitution patterns. Another blowout loss could be telling for the future of the coach.


Game Day Booty: For those of you at work, I again have posted a link so that this thread stays SFW. Enjoy military girlfriends!
http://thebrigade.thechive.com/2012/06/18/hot-military-girl-friends-part-2-61-photos


It's Game Time!

[video=youtube;QpR4p41F8G4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpR4p41F8G4[/video]


Eye on the Prize

 

[Cavsfan#1]

Paul Pierce is wearing #43 tonight?

 

[Dr. Gymbo]

Paul Pierce is wearing #43 tonight?

lol oops. Hit the keys in reverse too fast. Nice catch.

 

[Stark]

Half hour in and no posts?

I'm watching the Tribe, but this game must just be horrible.

 

[Noonan]

TT with 15 and 8 halfway through the second quarter. Playing like he cares who the coach is.

 

[CPK]

I really see show much potential in Tristan despite how raw he seems. I really hope he keeps working hard.

 

[GreekMo]

Thompson beasting. The rest are playing like shit.

 

[Rich]

21-11 for Thomspon. At the half. Heinsohn bitching cause he's owning Boston.

Come at me bros.

 

[Nathan S]

I'm gonna cry if Thompson doesn't get to 30 because he only takes 5 shots the entire 2nd half

 

[Rich]

You know what's hilarious? No one tweeting about the Cavs tonight. My guess is if they were down 20, twitter would be blowing up again.

 

[amil99]

Seems like the scorekeepers that pad Rondo's assist are cheating kyrie out of his. He official has 5 but I counted at least 7 or 8

 

[Surge]

I'm not watching the game, but wanted to check in.

 

[adriano_leite]

TT is playing fantastic tonight. He really growing up as our leader. Gee is fine tonight, but i am really happy because Kevin Jones got some minutes. Zeller is taller, but Kevin is much stronger and he is energy guy. I hope Scott gave these minutes to Jones in the future. I know Zeller get out because of foul problems, but damn i am sick of him. We are playing much better with TT and Jones out there. GO CAVS GO!

 

[Rich]

I think Jones is playing because Walton got hurt? Not sure though, just thought Walton looked like he was injured.

 

[Cavatt]

I think Kevin Jones has been playing great tonight. He actually looks like an NBA player and he hustles up the floor. He has been rotating better than Zeller on D. He gets in guys faces and he has been rebounding. Might want to start taking Zeller out on defensive lapses and give Kevin a chance.