| 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.