This game sees the 0-0 Cleveland Cavaliers take on the 0-0 Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden, in the season opener to the NBA. The Celtics will have their Championship Banner unveiled tonight, and the Cavs will be looking to spoil the party by defeating them in front of their own fans. Cleveland Cavaliers C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Ben Wallace SF LeBron James SG Delonte West PG Mo Williams Key Bench Players: Daniel Gibson, Anderson Varejao, Wally Szczerbiak, Sasha Pavlovic @ C Kendrick Perkins PF Kevin Garnett SF Paul Pierce SG Ray Allen PG Rajon Rondo Key Bench Players: Leon Powe, Eddie House, Gabe Pruitt Boston Celtics Key Matchup: SF - LeBron James v Paul Pierce This has been a marquee matchup in the NBA for a while now, and I have no doubt that tonight will serve up another classic. The last time these two went toe-to-toe it was Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and Paul Pierce just about pipped LeBron to the post before claiming the NBA Championship a while later. LeBron knows that could have been him, and will be seeking revenge tonight, to try to send his team on the road to the Championship immediately, as well as to start his own charge on the MVP award. We'll see dunks, jumpshots, tight defense, rebounds, assists and blocks from these two tonight and, if truth be told, either one could come out on top. Celtics' Keys to Victory Play stifling defence - The Celtics were the best defensive team last year and, in the season opener after the ring ceremony, must not get distracted. If their defense slips, LeBron will spoil their party, but if they can maintain their defensive intensity, the Cavs might not have a chance. Keep the desire - The one question mark surrounding the Celtics is this: do the stars still have the desire? Last season it was a chance for many of the players to finally get a Championship ring. Will they be able to maintain the same desire this year? Only time will tell, but LeBron will have the desire this year, and if the Celtics lose theirs, they might just lose this game. Exploit the weak link - No matter which lineup Mike Brown sends up at any point in the game, there will be a weak link. Whether it's Mo Williams' shaky defence, or Ben Wallace's immobility, or Pavlovic's tendency to get stuck in a rut, the Celtics must exploit it. If they can, it should make for a lot of easy buckets, and easier defense to play. Cavaliers' Keys to Victory Get LeBron going - Remember last year? When LeBron had a poor opening game against the Mavs, and people thought he was burnt out? And then the second game when he scored 45 against the Knicks? This season, he should just skip right to the 2nd game, and if he does so, the Celtics surely will not be able to stop the Irresistible Force that is LeBron James. Play tight defense - The Cavs are capable of playing really good defense and if they are to stand even a slight chance of winning tonight, they must play great defense. If they don't, there's no point even making the trip to Boston. Run - The Cavs don't often run on offense, but it is a tactic they must at least consider. It will be a way to ensure some easy buckets, and the aging Celtics might struggle if the Cavs play small ball with Varejao, LeBron, Sasha, Boobie and Mo running the floor. Prediction Since LeBron entered the League, the two teams have met 25 times, in what has become a classic matchup, even before KG and Ray Alen arrived in Boston. The series is split 14-11 in favour of the Cavs, who average 94.1ppg, compared to 93.3 for the Celtics. I anticipate a low scoring, old-school style of basketball tonight, one which might not display the pace or explosiveness that David Stern wishes to portray as the image of the League. It will be interesting to see the first proper game in which Mo Williams plays for the Cavs, to see how Mike Brown integrates him on offence and on defence. If Brown gets it right, the Cavs might just win, but I sense a hard-fought victory for the Celtics tonight. 80-84
I wish I could steal your previews/game threads, and just write what I want in it. Very nicely done, but I think LeBron wins tonight
