Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavaliers Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

wuck · Jan 9, 2009

Thanks to chiefwahoo56 for the template and lots of the image content below.

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Friday January 9th, 2009
8:00 pm ET, Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
Available tickets here, courtesy of TicketCity
TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Ohio HD, Radio: WTAM 1100

HEAD COACHES

Doc Rivers

Mike Brown

PROBABLE STARTERS
Celtics      Cavs 

  PG   

  Rajon Rondo            Mo Williams

   SG   

Ray Allen             Delonte West

   SF   

Paul Pierce               The King

   PF   

Kevin Garnett             Ben Wallace

   C   

     Kendrick Perkins    Anderson Varejao

BENCH BUNCH

Celtics

Injury Report
Cavs
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, - C, Ankle
Eric Snow - PG, Knee

Celtics
Tony Allen - G, Ankle

It's unlikely Cassell will play, and I doubt that the 2 just-called up rookies, Giddens + Walker, will play.

Keys to the Game

Punk them, don't worry about getting punked.
Contain Rondo (or Gimme Some Mo will break his TV).
Rebound, rebound, rebound.
Celtics were too tired to practice Thursday. Push the tempo when appropriate.
Throw many hammers down.
Launching threes from Deep in the Q is not the road to victory.
When Pierce has the ball, fight through the picks; don't ask Mo/Gibson/West to switch on him.
Blow them out and make it easy on the fans.

Quotable
Ray Allen

“We’re just at a bad point right now.“You can’t say we don’t have confidence. We just have to get back to the things we’re good at.”

D.J. Augustin:

"They come in and intimidate you and try to punk you. But if you don’t back down from them, they kind of fold.”

KG:

“I think it’s more mental than anything. I think when he said that he meant mentally tough. We’ve had two real difficult months, but we’ve weathered the storm. As of late we have had some slippage in the defense and it goes to show you what practice time (means) and the things you can clean up in practice, which we haven’t had a lot of.

LeBron James on using the absence of players (e.g. Z) as an excuse if they lose:

That’s a cop-out. Those are the words of losers ... losing teams. Winning teams, winning players don’t say nothing like that.”

Mo Williams:

"It's our turn. It's payback time."

NBA.COM Preview

It's January, but Celtics-Cavaliers isn't just another game

By John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Posted Jan 9 2009 1:32AM

CLEVELAND -- Friday's matchup between the Celtics and Cavaliers (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) is arguably the most important game of the NBA season thus far.

The Celtics arrive in Cleveland having lost six of their last eight games, which is remarkable when you consider they had won 19 straight and were 27-2 before the slide. The Cavaliers have lost two of their last four games, but thanks to the Celtics' struggles, hold a 1/2-game (two in the loss column) lead over Boston for first in the Eastern Conference at 28-6. And they're a perfect 18-0 at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Orlando Magic are currently tied with the Celtics in the loss column, but it will likely come down to Boston and Cleveland for the East's top two seeds, with the No. 1 seed getting the crucial home-court advantage. When these two met in the Conference semis last season, the home team won all seven games. This season, the Celtics and Cavs are a combined 36-2 at home.

When two teams battle for playoff position, games against each other count double. The Celtics beat the Cavs on opening night in Boston and they'll meet twice more in the regular season before likely facing again in the playoffs.

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS
Boston Celtics: 29-8 (11-6 on the road), Second in East
Pace: 89.7 possessions/game (17th)
Offense: 111.2 points scored per 100 possessions (7th)
Defense: 101.1 points allowed per 100 possessions (2nd)

Cleveland Cavaliers: 28-6 (18-0 at home), First in East
Pace: 88.6 possessions/game (23rd)
Offense: 114.5 points scored per 100 possessions (1st)
Defense: 100.6 points allowed per 100 possessions (1st)

SIX QUESTIONS
1. What's wrong with the Celtics?

In short: Everything. Their offense and defense have been equally bad of late, and they're not rebounding, either.

Offensively, the Celtics are shooting worse, turning the ball over more, not getting into the paint and not getting to the line. On defense, the C's are letting opponents shoot at a much higher percentage and aren't forcing as many turnovers.

The offense will come and go. It's an 82-game season and shooting slumps happen. But the defensive falloff has to be a concern for coach Doc Rivers. Defense is what the Celtics hang their hat on; when they aren't getting stops, they're vulnerable.

2. Is there a particular Celtic that's playing bad?

If you're going to point a finger, aim it at the backcourt. Ray Allen is shooting just 39 percent from the field since Christmas, and Rajon Rondo has had some ugly performances. Paul Pierce, meanwhile, has been on fire, shooting 55 percent, including 19-for-33 from three -point range over the last eight games.

3. What are the Cavs doing differently this season?

Offensively, they're shooting better. Interestingly, they're shooting worse from three-point range, but shooting more treys. The real difference is inside the arc, though. Last season, the Cavs shot 46.3 percent from two-point range. This season, they're shooting 52.5 percent from that range. They're also committing fewer turnovers while running more.

Defensively, the Cavs are forcing a lot more turnovers. They're also blocking more shots and contesting shots at a much higher rate.

4. How ugly could this game get?

Very. These are the two best defensive teams in the league, and you know (despite recent struggles) both are going to bring it tonight. The Celtics can erase the frustration of the last eight games with a big win over the Cavs. And a Cleveland win would cement the Cavs as the best team in the East right now. This is not just another game.

Expect the defenses to be suffocating and both offenses to struggle as they did when these two met in the playoffs back in May. Two of those games were won by a team that scored 76 points or less.

5. What matchup should we be paying close attention to?

Keep an eye on Kevin Garnett, who will likely be guarded by Anderson Varejao. Garnett had a big series against the Cavs last May, averaging 19.6 points on 54.5 percent shooting. This season, when K.G. shoots better than 50 percent, the Celtics are 18-1. If he's cooking offensively, the Celts are usually at their best.

6. What are the chances that this is a preview of the Eastern Finals?

Pretty good. But the Orlando Magic will have something to say about it come May. The Magic were 3-1 against the Cavs last season and have split four matchups with the Celtics over the course of the past two seasons. Orlando still has six more meetings with the two teams, so stay tuned. Of course, in the postseason, both the Celtics and Cavs will have the experience advantage over Orlando.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/john_schuhmann/01/09/nba_story.cavs.celts.20090108/

Gimme Some Mo · Jan 9, 2009

Re: NBA.COM preview of Cavs/Celts (John Schuhmann0

And why do we get three happy all the time again?

Last season, the Cavs shot 46.3 percent from two-point range. This season, they're shooting 52.5 percent from that range.

I would love to hear a "**** the celtics" chant going in the Q. I would also like to see the wave going. I think I have seen it once at the Q. The fans better be crazy.

JJ Smooth · Jan 9, 2009

Re: NBA.COM preview of Cavs/Celts (John Schuhmann0

Gimme Some Mo said:
I would love to hear a "**** the celtics" chant going in the Q. I would also like to see the wave going. I think I have seen it once at the Q. The fans better be crazy.

I'll do my best. And where is the game thread by the way? Running a little behind.

It's all about keeping Rondo under control and letting him make mistakes. As stated before by others, I'm not sure Mo can handle his speed, so perhaps Delonte or even LBJ can offer an assist. He's been neutralized these past few games and its showed in the Celtics loss column.

If this game gets close (which I'm sure it will), we need to buckle down on Pierce in the 4th, as he's become their money man at that time. I'm sure Lebron is itching for that chance again, so let him at it. Speaking of Lebron though, we need to avoid LeISo. Good ball distribution and chemistry getting everyone involved made the Bobcats game a cakewalk. It won't be as easy with the Celts, but if we allow all the players to get touches and not get into a shootfest between Lebron and PP this'll work in our favor.

3am. No sleep 'til Cleveland.

Soda · Jan 9, 2009

Re: NBA.COM preview of Cavs/Celts (John Schuhmann0

I believe we can do this without Z right now. If AV comes in with a hot hand, he will be tough to defend. That opens up shots and allows us to control the pace, it is crucial. I would like to see JJ play some minutes again.

Karma · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

This thread moved to game day as the scheduled member to post the preview has failed to put one up.

Cannot help but be excited about this one.

Personally I'm most concerned with our limited offensive options down low. We'll need a big night from James as per usual, but our perimeter guys need to be aggressive and get inside.

Photon · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

On the front page of nba.com picture of KG vs. LeBron in the post is shown. Kg looks like high school kid against our boy. I hope it will be the same on court today.:chuckles:

BlueSeats626 · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

A crucial key to this game is the combo of AV, Ben, and JJ staying out of foul trouble against KG and Davis. We can't afford to have Wright or Jackson be forced to play big minutes in this game.

wuck · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

Good local preview from the Chronicle Telegram:

Home-court advantage could be big in Cavs-Celtics showdown tonight
Rick Noland | The Chronicle-Telegram

INDEPENDENCE — When it comes to the Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, home-court advantage hasn’t meant much. It’s meant everything.

Since the beginning of last season, the heated rivals have met 12 times, with the home team winning every game, including Boston’s Game 7 playoff victory last season in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“That goes to show how important it is to play in front of your home fans and on your home turf,” Cavs swingman Wally Szczerbiak said Thursday following practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Cleveland will be on its home turf tonight at 8 when it hosts the Celtics in a highly anticipated showdown at Quicken Loans Arena,

At 28-6 (.824), the Cavaliers are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the NBA. Though they’ve lost six of their last eight games after a sizzling 27-2 start, the Celtics are right behind in the battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference at 29-8 (.784).

By the time the nationally televised game tips off (ESPN), the Cavs will have issued between 100 and 125 media credentials, far and away a season high, for the first meeting between teams with winning percentages of at least .784 this late in the season since March 2, 2006.
“We look forward to the challenge,” Cleveland small forward LeBron James said. “They’re a very good team coming into our building.”

No road team has left The Q as a winner this season, as the Cavaliers are 18-0 at home and winning by an average margin of 16.6 points. Cleveland has also won nine straight games (regular season and playoffs) at home against the Celtics, by an average margin of 10.6 points.
“We have been playing well and it will be a great test to see where we are because they’ve set themselves at a pace where we are neck and neck as far as our records go for the season,” Cavs guard Daniel “Boobie” Gibson said. “It will be a great measuring stick to see where we both are as teams.”

Regardless of what happens tonight, however, it won’t be the end of the world for the loser or guarantee a championship for the winner, as Cavs coach Mike Brown repeatedly pointed out in his session with the media.

“If they win, what do they get? Media attention, a pat on the back and a win,” Brown said. “If we win, what do we get? Media attention, a pat on the back and a win.

“If we played Portland (tonight), I’d want to beat Portland as bad as I want to beat Boston. That’s just the way I feel.”

There’s a lot of truth to that politically correct coach-speak, but when the Cavs and Celtics meet these days, it’s not just another game.

The Celtics are the reigning NBA champions, while Cleveland is the biggest threat to unseat them in the Eastern Conference.

Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Cleveland’s James are two of the most strong-willed and determined competitors in the NBA.

Current Cavs Szczerbiak and Delonte West used to play for the Celtics.

Paul Pierce and James compliment one another publicly, but it’s no secret they’re not the best of friends, with Pierce going so far as to proclaim himself king of the league after the Celtics went on to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals last season.

“We’re cool,” James insisted. “We don’t have any problems.

“He led his team to a championship. He has every right to feel like he’s the best player in the world.”

That argument is usually between James and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, but right now the Cavs are more concerned with becoming the best team in the world.

“We’ve got one goal, but it’s going to take a lot of mini goals to get to that goal,” Cleveland point guard Mo Williams said.

“They’re the defending champions. Everybody wants their title. We’re just like every other team.”

The Cavs, who are 27-4 after a 1-2 start, had lost two of their last three games prior to beating Charlotte by 30 points on Wednesday, but Cleveland has not lost two games in a row this season and appears to have the chemistry of a champion.

“What we have here is special,” James said.

The Celtics, meanwhile, have dropped six of their last eight, with several of those losses coming against sub-.500 teams. On top of that, point guard Rajon Rondo, who was playing like an All-Star during Boston’s fast start, suddenly can’t make a shot from the perimeter.
The Celtics, who will likely be without backup guard Tony Allen (ankle) tonight, also haven’t been getting much from their backcourt reserves, which is why there’s been talk of acquiring Stephon Marbury in Beantown.

“We’re just at a bad point right now,” Boston guard Ray Allen said. “You can’t say we don’t have confidence. We just have to get back to the things we’re good at.”

In Boston as in Cleveland, that starts with defense. The Cavs are first in the league in points allowed (89.1) and opponents’ field goal percentage (.420), while the Celtics are second in both categories (91.4, .422).

“We have to get our defensive swagger back,” Pierce said. “It’s been broken these last 10 or 12 days.”

Winning in Cleveland, of course, would cure many of Boston’s current ills.

“They’re going to be fired up,” Szczerbiak said. “They’re probably pointing to this game to get them back on track. We’ve got to be ready for that.”

The Cavs will be minus starting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who is out with a chip fracture in his left ankle, but James said using that to rationalize a loss would be “a cop-out.”

“Those are the words of losing teams,” the 24-year-old said. “Winning teams with winning players don’t say things like that.”

With a combined record of 57-14, the Cavs and Celtics are definitely two winning teams. That will make for a great atmosphere tonight at The Q, but Cleveland players won’t be totally happy until they avenge last season’s playoff loss to Boston.

Judging by recent history, having home-court advantage against the Celtics in the postseason will go a long way toward helping the Cavs do just that.

“You’ve got to use it as motivation when you are playing against a team like that, knowing it was that close,” Gibson said of the teams’ 2008 playoff series. “It could have been you or them going to the conference finals. I know we all feel like we let it go or we let it slip away, but those guys took it from us and they earned it.

Fursdon · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

This'll be a good one. I think Boston is going to come in mean and frustrated with their current play, and be wanting to prove they can get right back on track with the momentum. To compare, we'll also have to come with a chip on our shoulders, wanting to show the league we can beat the champs. I think it's likely going to be a nasty, lower scoring affair, like we've seen them have before. Both teams might start out tentative with their play, and whoever finds their momentum first might ride it through a quarter or a half.

Keys:

Lebron & the Offense: If they can play a good moving, hustling, and passing offense (like our aggressive D), they should be able to build momentum that Boston can't keep up with. If we stall out and rely on Lebron dribble....and dribble...and dribble drive's...Not as much.

Defense: This should be a good indicator of Mo's improvement on defense. Compare how he does tonight vs. the first game of the season against Rondo. Hopefully our guys off the bench rise to the challenge tonight as well.

Hmm...what else...

Win? Please?

Green Lantern · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

We better hammer this team early and throughout the game.pound the bll inside on them...

Rick Astley · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

Our game to win! Time to establish ourselves as the top dog of the East!

Deezus · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

Can't wait to see one of these again tonight...

Maximus · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

Haven't been this excited about a game since the playoffs. :headbang: I'll be there on the floor

...unfortunately with my wife.

I want to see us drill them.....hard fouls....a scuffle....I just want to bitch slap them and shake their confidence worse than it already is. :thumbup:

TAS · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

This is a must win. Guys better bring their A Game

3 Da Hard Way · Jan 9, 2009

Re: Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavalier's Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

Andy will own Perkins

Game 35 | Celtics @ Cavaliers Jan 9th, 8:00PM (ET)

wuck

Hustling on the inside

Gimme Some Mo

Gold Star Member

JJ Smooth

I never sleep

Soda

Listen To The Kids!

Karma

Retire the #11

Photon

Winning

BlueSeats626

Gee-Mail in KG's Inbox

wuck

Hustling on the inside

Fursdon

In the Rotation

Green Lantern

Guardian of the Cavaliers

Rick Astley

A rich man's Dahntay Jones

Deezus

OLGA LOVES YOU

Maximus

BANNED

TAS

-____-

3 Da Hard Way

Columbus Goat

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