Game #59 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Game Night Open Thread
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:01 PM CST
in 2009 Game Day Thread
207 comments
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics, Feb 25, 2010 7:00 PM CST
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
36-19 44-14
February 25, 2010
TD Banknorth Garden
8:00 PM et
Radio - WTAM 1100 / TNT
Probable starters:
Rajon Rondo
PG
Mo Williams
Ray Allen
SG
Anthony Parker
Marquis Daniels
SF
LeBron James
Kevin Garnett
PF
Antawn Jamison
Kendrick Perkins
C
Shaquille O'Neal
The Celtics and the Cavaliers. It's been awhile. The Cavs and Celtics haven't played each other since opening night. A 95-89 win by Boston, neither team is really the same as it was back then. For Cleveland, it was trying to figure out Anthony Parker and Shaquille O'Neal. Now the Cavs are trying to get used to Antawn Jamison.
For Boston, they'll likely be without Paul Pierce who suffered a thumb injury against the Lakers last week. As Brian Windhorst pointed out, however, the Cavaliers have lost road games this season against teams that were shorthanded, losing to Dallas minus Dirk Nowitzke and Denver without Carmelo Anthony.
As Jeff Clark from Celtics Blog said to me earlier, this game will be a good 'Karma Check'. Will we see Boston favorite Leon Powe? Mike Brown said Powe wasn't on his minute card, but time will tell.
3-in the Key
1. The Cavaliers and Celtics are two of the stingiest teams in the league at allowing points with Boston ranking first at 93.8 ppg and Cleveland being tied with Miami for third at 95.0 ppg.
2. In the season opener against Boston, LeBron James scored 38 points on 12-22 (.545) shooting, eight assists, four blocks and two steals. It was the second time (Jan. 9, 2009) in the last four meetings that he scored 38 points. His career average against the Celtics is 30.2 points and only one player in NBA history has a higher mark against the Celtics: Michael Jordan at 30.7. Since 2003-04, no player in the NBA has recorded more 30+ point games against the Boston than James with 12.
3. Cleveland is in the midst of playing six of nine games on the road and will play four of its next six games away from The Q. The team has won 10 of its last 14 road games and at 19-10 (.655), their road record is the second-best in the NBA (Boston, 20-10). LeBron James leads the league this season in scoring on the road at 30.8 ppg.
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Normally I'd talk about the huge implications of a game like this
But tonight, if I were the Cavs, my approach would be this: come to play. Come to compete. Don’t think about the game; just come to play and play with tenacity.
Still sloppy...
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:23 PM CST reply actions
Mo Williams...
Is a matador…He cannot defend the perimeter
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:24 PM CST reply actions
Cavs still chucking up 3s at an astronomical level…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:25 PM CST reply actions
Mike Brown...
said that Powe was not part of his ‘minute card’ tonight….
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
Horrible shot selection by Varejao leads to an easy basket
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:35 PM CST reply actions
Cavs have bitten off quite a bit – Shaq, Jamison, Mo, Parker are all less than average defensively. It is easy to see why the Cavaliers struggle stopping people now.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:37 PM CST reply actions
Thanks....
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:46 PM CST up reply actions
It was fun watching DEN crud the bed at the end of the season.
by JulioBernazard on Feb 25, 2010 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
Beating their rival and winning their final four games was pretty fun, actually. And the #3 all-time RB performance was cool, too.
by JulioBernazard on Feb 25, 2010 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
^ knocking their rivals out of the playoffs, actually
by JulioBernazard on Feb 25, 2010 8:21 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, there are some issues offensively, but this defense is embarrassing
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:45 PM CST reply actions
How in the hell is it that Rondo is allowed to dominate?
The guy can not hit a effing jumper? All you have to do is stay in frigging front of him! Mo should be plenty quick enough to move his damn feet.
NBA Players
can hit open jumpshots. Cavaliers’ guards are not fighting through screens and Mo Williams is afraid of contact. Yet, still, Boobie Gibson rots on the bench..
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
Not that Gibson is a great defensive player, but at least he’ll take that contact.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
Wonder how many games like this – with teams shooting 70+% for large portions, will get this team to realize there is a problem – that everything is NOT ok
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:53 PM CST reply actions
Shaq hurt…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 7:59 PM CST reply actions
Funny – Cavs go more athletic – D-West, Andy, J.J, Jawad and LeBron – and the defense improves.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:04 PM CST reply actions
LOL
Did ok defensively on Allen but sucked on offense…It was worth a look..NOT something I’d want to see all the time
by cavslandrocks on Feb 25, 2010 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
for the three consecutive possessions that Allen was forced to give up the ball he was..then Allen scored over Jawad and Jamison when he switched inside
by cavslandrocks on Feb 25, 2010 9:21 PM CST up reply actions
Haha, ok keep living in your fantasy world. Still waiting for that explanation by the way.
by rockemsockem on Feb 25, 2010 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
YOu know things are going bad when LeBron just has to kiss it off the glass for an And-1 and misses it.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:11 PM CST reply actions
At some point, Mike Brown has to get called out for a lack of thinking.
by nosey313 on Feb 25, 2010 8:14 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Leon Powe
makes an appearance
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:18 PM CST reply actions
Some how, some way, Cavaliers only down 8.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:20 PM CST reply actions
Single digits at the half ain’t sooo bad…
by JulioBernazard on Feb 25, 2010 8:21 PM CST up reply actions
yeah…40% shooting won’t win very many games
by cavslandrocks on Feb 25, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
Unfortunately this always happens
Anytime you make a roster move you have to live with the turmoil as players re-learn their roles and rotations (even when they hypothetically should stay the same)
If someone played any kind of prevent defense on Rondo
This game is completely different. Rondo killed them and that is unacceptable.
Lucky for the Cavs
The Celtics are without Pierce and have been having trouble maintaining thru the second half. It’s still Cavs game to lose.
GD it
No excuse for poor transition defense. West and Mo looks like shells of their last years selves. We don’t get past round one with next to 0 guard production and even worse defense.
missed that…I know I am homer but I can’t stand watching national broadcasts. The Cleveland bias always rears its ugly head. And the constant Lebron is leaving banter is so tired.
by kingcrimson2 on Feb 25, 2010 8:31 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with one thing Barkley said. The Cavs will be forced to speed up the tempo, and play more athletic players with Shaq out.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:30 PM CST reply actions
Speed is good against the Celtics
They are a half court team that likes the chance to get setup. But the saying goes defense sets up your offense, well I think it works both ways, offense also sets up your defense. It doesn’t look like there is very good ball movement to get everyone involved on every play. And it shows when people’s number is called.
by the way, Kenny smith and barkley…
STFU aobut Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is completely fair. they keep INSISTING that there was a deal worked out behind closed doors. there were RUMORS he wanted to return…do you believe EVERY rumor???
I don’t agree with limiting where a person can go. Even before the Z thing, i thought it was fine…I am not Doc Rivers trolling on here…
The point is, that when Z is bought out he becomes a FREE AGENT. If you want to limit the teams he can go to, then classify him as something else. just it isn’t fair to work out a deal behind closed doors, is it fair to not let one team bid on a free agent???
Agree, the Wiz bought him out. If that’s ever the case, he should be allowed to go where ever he wants! They shouldn’t ever change the rule.
And we didn’t hear any whining when any other team did it.
The Z deal didn't have to be agreed on
There was no doubt what was going to happen, Z was never going to play in Washington. I don’t like the rule myself, but as long as its there then teams can use it.
there was no doubt…if you believed every single rumor. even I as a cavs fan and an optimist about the situation thought there was some doubt.
if you believe all the rumors, then not only was their no doubt but there was something fishy going on.
the point is that NO ONE involved gave ANY indication that Z would not play there, especially before the trade. NO ONE has given any indication (of the ppl involved) that Z will automatically come back here. Honestly, I do not believe it to be a 100% lock.
And frankly
I don’t think Z is the missing piece for the Cavs, their playoff aspirations depend on the team as a whole building comraderie in a short time rather than just trying to out talent people, out play them.
I agree 110%
I can’t possible imagine why he isn’t getting play time, while Mo has sucked it up since coming back.
Been screaming for that for a couple games now…I will never understand Mike Brown’s rotations…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
The only explanation could be
that Brown is trying to force Mo to get to form for the playoffs and he is willing to sacrifice possible games to do it.
Maybe…but anyone can see his isn’t right. Why was he rushed back?
by kingcrimson2 on Feb 25, 2010 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
willing to sacrifice possible games to do it.
This kind of mentality ALWAYS comes back to bite in the ass. Across all sports.
Noone has really said Mike coaching was brilliant
outside of defense. But I am not even buying that argument, just not worth arguing it.
No one does. I’m usually not one quick to jump on Mike Brown either.
But this…. is just bad strange.
I can only imagine he thinks throwing these games away is worth it, so he can keep experimenting with lineups that work, and ones that don’t.
But that kind of mindset won’t help build chemistry, in my opinion.
Sorry I’m M.I.A.
Battling stomach virus. I hope to be activated for tomorrows game at Toronto
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by Jeff at the BBC on Feb 25, 2010 8:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Mo is killing us...
put in Gibson please.
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Let Mo get his groove back against teams we aren't going to face in the playoffs.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 8:53 PM CST up reply actions
And I hate to say it
but Barkley is right. The Cavs need to speed things up.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
He's 100% right
Cavs have the most lethal force in the NBA at full speed, yet they force him to play 1-on-5
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
especially since both Shaq and Z aren’t around to “slow them down”
by cavslandrocks on Feb 25, 2010 9:07 PM CST up reply actions
Someone needs to put Rondo on his ass!
Seriously.
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I’d like to say this is the defense, but Celtics now missing some open shots. That is allowing the Cavs to get out and run a bit.
This game has the feel of the Orlando game from Sunday..
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:04 PM CST reply actions
Law of averages
The Celtics were shooting way above their average in the 1st half. Now things are going to even back out.
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
That being said
the Cavs look like they are playing ball int he dark.
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
No rhythm on that free throw…LeBron kind of tossed it up there.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:06 PM CST reply actions
First time we’ve really seen Jamison second guess his outside shot…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:07 PM CST reply actions
Welcome Back J.J.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:08 PM CST reply actions
Wow
that was nice
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THANK YOU LEBRON
Finally, James decides to attack at the end of a quarter instead of hoist a long-range 3
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:09 PM CST reply actions
Did this crew do any freaking research before the game?
They keep saying Brown didn’t play Hickson when anyone who reads knows he had the damn flu.
And they keep saying it over and over and over…
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True...
But he was available – and the way this game started, Hickson only came in after Shaq got hurt….That is how Mike Brown does it. I hate it.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:10 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
Hickson and Andy are big spark plugs for this team.
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
Announcers
Though I agree with Barkley. The Cavs are their best when they attack on offense.
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:12 PM CST up reply actions
Once again, LeBron starting to miss from the free throw line. 3-6 down the stretch in the 3rd Q
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:11 PM CST reply actions
I would like to see mor of West too
More West, more Hickson and more Gibson.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
Would love to see D-West back in the starting lineup
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
MIke Brown talks a lot about trust. It’s time to trust J.J. Hickson with minutes and live with what happens
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:22 PM CST reply actions
He should also trust that Boobie
is one of the best 3 point shooters in the league.
Play Mo more against teams that will be easier to beat and he can get right against them.
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:23 PM CST up reply actions
I switched to Old Spice
and after the first time I put it on, I found myself suddenly on a horse and I had a rippling six pack. They have converted me.
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TNT has some seriously bad feeds
Every time I watch a game on TNT they have tech difficulties.
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I have to say
last year when Lebron was out we were screwed. This is refreshing.
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There ya go Mo!
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
The Gooseneck is BACK
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:29 PM CST reply actions
That was bad ass!
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Perkins didn’t need to bump into The King.
by JulioBernazard on Feb 25, 2010 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
Standing corrected.
=)
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by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:31 PM CST up reply actions
I still want Gobson
he is good.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:32 PM CST up reply actions
I still want to see Gibson...
Just like I want to see Hickson, and Moon. This team is too deep to go with the same 7 guys every night.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:32 PM CST up reply actions
As soon as the Cavs defense
started playing, Rondo couldn’t do crap. Then their offense started flowing. Anyone besides Hickson know how to crash the lane when one guy is drawing in the entire defense? Funny how a rookie has to show the way sometimes, it is so simple.
69-62 Celtics when Hickson came into the game – 34-14 since
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:35 PM CST reply actions
+/-
Hickson +14
West +11
Moon +9
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Love it...
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
Parker -8
Shaq -12
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
by Patrick Allen on Feb 25, 2010 9:37 PM CST up reply actions
The Celtics have done this a lot this season – blowing big leads.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 9:36 PM CST reply actions
Charles did say the Cavs would win this game during halftime.
by rockemsockem on Feb 25, 2010 9:43 PM CST up reply actions
I can’t believe there is now someone who is a bigger cleveland hater than barkley…barkley HAS warmed up to the king though a bit.
Barkley may not like Cleveland, but he knows enough about basketball to recognize that LBJ is the best player in basketball, and I’ve heard him say it numerous times. Kenny Smith is on the Kobe bandwagon, and I think Charles particularly enjoys tweaking Kenny Smith whenever possible.
"Nobody ever thinks, 'Hey, maybe I’m actually an idiot.'" - Jay
by woodsmeister on Feb 26, 2010 8:37 AM CST up reply actions
I’m glad Chuck got dinner from Kenny. Lay off the cocktails, big fella!
by JulioBernazard on Feb 27, 2010 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah and now they dont have Pierce
which was even more frustrating that the Cavs were letting Rondo waltz into the lane. Oh well at least Mo atoned himself a bit here late. Maybe that will spark his confidence.
This +/- is killing me
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=300225002
Look at the starters vs bench.
Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/
if the celtics were healthy
They’d have won by 30. Don’t you know they’re the awesomest ever?
/sarcasm
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by Jeff at the BBC on Feb 25, 2010 9:53 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Hickson and Varejao run rings around the 2010 version of Garnett and Sheed. When Pierce comes back we got a guy called Lebron who can handle him. As long as we manage Rondo and our PG’s match his offense we will beat them in any 7 game series. Of all the contenders i’ve only still got concerns about Denver, i’m confident of beating the rest of them.
As is the Front Page recap...
Two are always better than one to be sure!
FTS
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 10:15 PM CST up reply actions
Hey Wave...
I actually want to post something else – go ahead and do yours…I’ll then copy it and make it a front page post. It is better than promoting a Fan Shot because of how front page posts are distributed. I will give you full credit of course…
FTS
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Feb 25, 2010 10:17 PM CST up reply actions
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