GT: Boston Celtics @ CAVS

bbwchingy0007 · Nov 21, 2005

<div align="center">BOSTON CELTICS @ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

PROJECTED STARTERS

CAVS

C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Eric Snow

C Mark Blount PF Raef Lafrentz SF Paul Pierce SG Ricky Davis PG Delonte West

CELTICS

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN</div>

Zydrunas Ilgauskas v Mark Blount – For a 7-foot player getting half an hour per game, Blount has been an atrocious rebounder but a relatively effective scorer. 13 points are adequate for a player of his ability, but the 3.7 boards are ridiculously low. If he doesn’t drastically improve this statistic, the 13-8 Ilgauskas will run away with this one. I’m tipping the big Lithuanian to come out on top here.
Drew Gooden v Raef Lafrentz – Despite having the height advantage, Lafrentz does not appear to have more than a slim of chance when he matches up with Drew Gooden; Gooden’s 12 and 9 outshine Lafrentz’ 12-6. If Gooden has a bad game and Lafrentz has the antithesis, there could be an upset on the cards. Nevertheless, I’m tipping our man from Kansas to be victorious.
LeBron James v Paul Pierce – Words can hardly describe how exciting and potentially memorable this matchup could be. They are both capable of scoring in excess of fifty points whilst grabbing rebounds and providing shots for their team-mates. More importantly than that, they have the ability to carry the team on their back, making key plays and driving through the lane to excite the crowd. This will be an intense and close matchup, but I think the “Chosen One” will pip Pierce at the post.
Larry Hughes v Ricky Davis – Another exciting matchup as two in-form players go head to head. Ricky Davis’ above the rim play and Hughes’ tough nose defense will be at full strength and this matchup could go either way. I think Hughes will come up trumps purely because he is playing in front of his home crowd.
Eric Snow v Delonte West – Experienced veteran meets inexperienced sophomore. This matchup pits two relatively low-scoring players in a key position against each other. All the stats point towards West, but I think the experience and toughness could just enable Snow to prevail. Could.

<div align="center">OTHER NOTES</div>

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[*]Both teams are coming off a rest – the Cavaliers for two nights and the Celtics for three. This would mean that both teams will be full of energy, ready to fly at each other at full speed.
[*]The Cavs have won two of the last three meeting between the two franchises
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<div align="center">SCORE PREDICTION</div>

 94 - 97