Cavaliers @ Celtics (Tonight) <div align="center"> <font size="1"><font color="Gray">Paul Pierce and LeBron James go head to head in Boston</font></font> <font color="DarkRed">Cleveland Cavaliers</font> (11-24) @ <font color="Green">Boston Celtics</font> (18-19)</div> Friday, January 9th, 7:30 pm Eastern Fleet Center, Boston, MA TV: NBALP, WUAB Vegas Line: Boston -6 Season Series: Cavaliers 0, Celtics 1 12/13/2003, Celtics 105 @ Cavaliers 98 Previous Game Cavaliers 69 @ Raptors 75 Magic 93 @ Celtics 101 Last 10 Games Cleveland: 5-5 (Lost 1) Boston: 5-5 (Won 1) Head Coaches Paul Silas/ Jim O'Brien Probable Starters LeBron James/Mike James Kedrick Brown/Paul Pierce Eric Williams/Jiri Welsch Carlos Boozer/Mark Blount Zydrunas Ilgauskas/Chris Mihm 6th Men Tony Battie/Ricky Davis Injury Update Cavaliers Ira Newble - (thigh contusion) Bruno Sundov Celtics Raef LaFrentz Kendrick Perkins Chris Mills Vin Baker - suspended <div align="center">Players To Watch LeBron James/Paul Pierce James: 19.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.46 steals Pierce: 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.49 steals</div> Fast Facts Since arriving in Boston, Davis has averaged 9.9 points in 12 games and the Celtics are 6-7 since the deal. Cleveland is 5-7 since the trade and 2-16 on the road. Keys To The Game <u>Cavaliers</u> Keep Paul out of the lane/keep hand in face Go to Big Z on Mihm as much as possible Don'y let Welsch get open looks from deep Attack the basket, make freethrows, don't turn the ball over <u>Celtics</u> Get the ball out of LeBron's hands early Double Ilgauskas on the blocks Keep a body on Carlos Boozer Run the floor hard, zone it up often The King's Take We have a barn-burner here fellas, former Cavalier Ricky Davis has added some spice to this game, hammering the entire franchise in a statement yesterday. The Cavaliers better want to come out very aggressive and angry after that embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors. I don't care what they use for motivation, but they have things to use, and I don't want to see a lackadasical effort. I'll favor Boston by 5, I just have little faith in the Cavaliers at this point. James has a big game though :mrgreen: <font size="1">Please visit NBA.com</font>
Since it is in Boston, I will favor the Celtics too. I think it will be a close game, with Pierce and Lebron having a shootout. Celts by 3
I say Clevland by 8 Lebron has a big game. I expect wagner to do something this game, score in double figures. We need Z and Eric to step up and give lebron help tho as well.
Nice preview, i think the Celtics will come out lazy at first, but then have a strong run into ending in the 4th and win it all.
Great preview, definitely very entertaining, it'll be great to see LeBron and Pierce, two very established selfless shooters go at it. Man to man would be fun here, fighting for boards, using assists. I say Cavaliers outweigh them, Ricky Davis might try to bury them though so we'll see. Cavaliers by 5.
The Cavaliers give up way too many open 3's, this is right up the alley for Mike James, Paul Pierce, and Jiri Welsch. Their shooting will determine whether the game is won or lost.
I'll favor Cavs by 3! Dajuan Wagner will get his first game this season with over 10 minutes and get over 10 points Just because of that we win, because the other players do as the ussually do
Meh, I don't really think Cleveland has a chance. DIn't get me wrong, this is a very winnable game, but we have all seen it all season long. The Cavs come out firing the first 3 quaters, then just look at the ball go into the net for the 4th. Celtics by 12.
Cavs lost to Boston at home, so I doubt they will win on the road. I expect Jiri to have a nice game. Boston by 5+
I think the Celtics will win in a close game. The Cavs will come out strong and try win but will fall short. Ricky Davis' comments will force the Cavaliers to play hard. However, Paul Pierce will win the game for Boston. Celtics by 4.
Celtics by 11. Cavs are certainly capable of winning this, but I just think the Celtics are a better ballclub at the moment, especially at the Fleet.
Celtics lead 33/21 after one. Need I say more? No defensive rotation as usual. ---------- Celtics lead 53/42 @ the half James has 8, 4, and 1 Battie has 6 and 8 Pierce has 17, 6, and 4 Davis has 6 ----------
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Blinger0723:</div><div class="quote_post">Lebron needs to stop being so passive take over the game!</div> He is our point guard, he can't do it himself.
Z is horrible straight up omg trade this guy for swift and someone like espn was talking about and ask for mike miller in the deal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr_Infante:</div><div class="quote_post">Cavs will trail the entire game and lose in an effortless 4th quarter by 10. God i hope im wrong.</div> damn im good.
Boston wins 107/82 James had 19, 3, and 6 Battie had 10 and 13 Those were the only Cavs in double figures. Pierce had 30, 12, and 8 Davis had 16, 3, and 1 Full story and box score coming later.
