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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 07:38 p.m. EST, Jan 08, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: The Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are seemingly going in different directions.
The teams have the top two records in the Eastern Conference, but the Celtics (29-8) will attempt to end the Cavs' 18-game home winning streak at Quicken Loans Arena tonight.
The Celtics have lost three in a row and six of their past eight to allow the Cavs (28-6) to take over the top spot in the East.
Add to the mix a little bad blood that's existed since the Celtics' Paul Pierce spit in the direction of the Cavs' bench during an exhibition game a few years back and a heated seven-game Eastern Conference semifinals series last season, and you have the makings of a drama suitable for prime time.
And ESPN will be there.
''You have a lot of competitors on the Boston side. You've got a lot of competitors on our side,'' Cavs forward LeBron James said when asked about the intensity associated with playing the Celtics. ''When you have that type of competitive nature and no one wants to lose the game, it can look more intense sometimes and it looks like you don't really care for that next person across from you.''
That person is Pierce.
James said there are no hard feelings on his part with respect to the Celtics forward, who lives to play the Cavs.
''I think we respect each other's game,'' James said. ''We respect what we do as individuals and try to help our team win basketball games.''
When they last faced off in the opening game of the season, Pierce got the better of the Cavs and James, scoring 27 points to James' 22 in a 90-85 Celtics' victory. The Cavs hope to reverse that result at home tonight.
''There's a comfort level there, not only with the players but to the coaching staff to the players and vice versa,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
In the first game, the Cavs still had no idea how their new roster would work out.
General Manager Danny Ferry had added point guard Mo Williams to a roster of still new players that included Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.
After that first Celtics game, it became clearer.
Williams appears to be that reliable No. 2 that James has needed. West has added defense and, when needed, offense at shooting guard. Wallace intimidates defensively and, although he's endured a couple of injuries, Szczerbiak has, at times, been effective off the bench.
The biggest difference between the first game at TD Banknorth Garden back in October and now is the chemistry the Cavs have developed.
It's reminiscent of the potent charisma the Celtics displayed on their way to the NBA title last season.
When asked if the Cavs were trying to emulate the Celtics in that respect, James said there's no way to manufacture chemistry. It's either there or it's not.
''We just learned so much being together. [The first game] was just the first rendition of what we thought we could become,'' he said. ''What we have going on here is special. We have a family-oriented team and we all care for each other and protect each other on the court and off the court.''
It might be that chemistry that has kept the Cavs from enduring the type of prolonged funk the Celtics currently are experiencing.
Pierce realizes there's a lot at stake in this game.
''They are the best home team in all of basketball, so they've been looking forward to this,'' he told the Boston Herald. ''We're going to get their best punch. The way they've been playing at home has been unbelievable, but the way we're playing, this is a great way to get back on track.''
Brown refuses to get caught up in the hype surrounding the game and that just might be the best way to deal with it.
''If they win, what do they get? Media attention, a pat on the back, a win. If we win what do we get? Media attention, a pat on the back and the win,'' Brown said. ''And the next day we can go out and lose to the Washington Wizards. That win doesn't mean anything.''
James said the Cavs shouldn't get more or less excited for this one even if it's not just another game.
''We're looking forward to the challenge,'' he said. ''It's a very good team coming into our building, so it's going to be a good one.''
Head-to-head at home
The Cavs are 9-0 against the Celtics at home dating back to the 2004-05 season. The Cavs have won by an average of 10.6 points and held the Celtics to 42 percent shooting and have shot close to 46 percent.
By the numbers
The Cavs have an .824 winning percentage and the Celtics a .784 mark. The last time two teams met with at least a .784 winning percentage and at least 34 games into the season was March 2, 2006, when the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks met on March 2, 2006. This is the first time the Cavs have been involved in such a game.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas .
INDEPENDENCE: The Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are seemingly going in different directions.
The teams have the top two records in the Eastern Conference, but the Celtics (29-8) will attempt to end the Cavs' 18-game home winning streak at Quicken Loans Arena tonight.
The Celtics have lost three in a row and six of their past eight to allow the Cavs (28-6) to take over the top spot in the East.
Add to the mix a little bad blood that's existed since the Celtics' Paul Pierce spit in the direction of the Cavs' bench during an exhibition game a few years back and a heated seven-game Eastern Conference semifinals series last season, and you have the makings of a drama suitable for prime time.
And ESPN will be there.
''You have a lot of competitors on the Boston side. You've got a lot of competitors on our side,'' Cavs forward LeBron James said when asked about the intensity associated with playing the Celtics. ''When you have that type of competitive nature and no one wants to lose the game, it can look more intense sometimes and it looks like you don't really care for that next person across from you.''
That person is Pierce.
James said there are no hard feelings on his part with respect to the Celtics forward, who lives to play the Cavs.
''I think we respect each other's game,'' James said. ''We respect what we do as individuals and try to help our team win basketball games.''
When they last faced off in the opening game of the season, Pierce got the better of the Cavs and James, scoring 27 points to James' 22 in a 90-85 Celtics' victory. The Cavs hope to reverse that result at home tonight.
''There's a comfort level there, not only with the players but to the coaching staff to the players and vice versa,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said.
In the first game, the Cavs still had no idea how their new roster would work out.
General Manager Danny Ferry had added point guard Mo Williams to a roster of still new players that included Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West.
After that first Celtics game, it became clearer.
Williams appears to be that reliable No. 2 that James has needed. West has added defense and, when needed, offense at shooting guard. Wallace intimidates defensively and, although he's endured a couple of injuries, Szczerbiak has, at times, been effective off the bench.
The biggest difference between the first game at TD Banknorth Garden back in October and now is the chemistry the Cavs have developed.
It's reminiscent of the potent charisma the Celtics displayed on their way to the NBA title last season.
When asked if the Cavs were trying to emulate the Celtics in that respect, James said there's no way to manufacture chemistry. It's either there or it's not.
''We just learned so much being together. [The first game] was just the first rendition of what we thought we could become,'' he said. ''What we have going on here is special. We have a family-oriented team and we all care for each other and protect each other on the court and off the court.''
It might be that chemistry that has kept the Cavs from enduring the type of prolonged funk the Celtics currently are experiencing.
Pierce realizes there's a lot at stake in this game.
''They are the best home team in all of basketball, so they've been looking forward to this,'' he told the Boston Herald. ''We're going to get their best punch. The way they've been playing at home has been unbelievable, but the way we're playing, this is a great way to get back on track.''
Brown refuses to get caught up in the hype surrounding the game and that just might be the best way to deal with it.
''If they win, what do they get? Media attention, a pat on the back, a win. If we win what do we get? Media attention, a pat on the back and the win,'' Brown said. ''And the next day we can go out and lose to the Washington Wizards. That win doesn't mean anything.''
James said the Cavs shouldn't get more or less excited for this one even if it's not just another game.
''We're looking forward to the challenge,'' he said. ''It's a very good team coming into our building, so it's going to be a good one.''
Head-to-head at home
The Cavs are 9-0 against the Celtics at home dating back to the 2004-05 season. The Cavs have won by an average of 10.6 points and held the Celtics to 42 percent shooting and have shot close to 46 percent.
By the numbers
The Cavs have an .824 winning percentage and the Celtics a .784 mark. The last time two teams met with at least a .784 winning percentage and at least 34 games into the season was March 2, 2006, when the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks met on March 2, 2006. This is the first time the Cavs have been involved in such a game.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas .
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 09:49 PM, 01/08/2009
To alys22: Yeh right. Actually I see all the NBA players I want to see on America"s Most Wanted!
Posted 10:04 PM, 01/08/2009
Orlando? What happened to you? Head trauma, obviously. Just because Cleveland and Boston are both MUCH better teams, you don't have to try to say that they "suck".
I will say, Boston sucks and Cleveland rocks, but Orlando.....C'Mon!
Posted 10:06 PM, 01/08/2009
Kenneth, That's the NBA of 2 years ago, you're thinking of NCAA football and NFL football.
I know...they all look the same
Posted 09:26 AM, 01/09/2009
Haven't you paid attention to how well Orlando has played? Also remember they were better than the Cavs last year too.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:37 AM, 01/09/2009
Go CAVS!!!! Let's get in done tonight!!!! I must admit I had my reservations about this time coming into the season, but they've really played well. Why do folks come on here and talk about nonsense.......Orlando....really?!?! Dwight Howard is a bad man, but they're a couple years away from doing anything substantial.
The Great City in, OH
Posted 11:10 AM, 01/09/2009
hannaman
Posted 09:26 AM, 01/09/2009 Haven't you paid attention to how well Orlando has played? Also remember they were better than the Cavs last year too.
____
So were the Celtics but this is a new year and the Cleveland Cavaliers are tied for the BEST RECORD in the league with the Lakers THIS YEAR and Season; that precludes Orlando!!!!
Posted 11:22 AM, 01/09/2009
Orlando has lost 2 more games than Cleveland, are you saying that can't be made up? The Magic have arguably played a tougher schedule too. I'm just saying Boston isn't the only team the Cavs need to get by.
Posted 12:41 PM, 01/09/2009
Unfortunately, the Cavs have caught Boston at a bad time. The Celtics need this win big time after losing 5 of 7, and I believe they will come in tonight very strong and hungry. Celtics in a tight one.
Posted 12:43 PM, 01/09/2009
.... regardless which of the 3 take the East, the Lakers are better than all of 'em.
Barberton, OH
Posted 02:32 PM, 01/09/2009
The Lakers?! Are you kidding me? They'll fold down the stretch come playoff time, just like last year against the Celts. Orlando loses Howard for like 3 playoff games in May and that entire team is done. Cavs could actually say now that they could possibly pull out a game or two without Lebron.
The Great City in, OH
Posted 03:54 PM, 01/09/2009
hannaman
Posted 11:22 AM, 01/09/2009 Orlando has lost 2 more games than Cleveland, are you saying that can't be made up? The Magic have arguably played a tougher schedule too. I'm just saying Boston isn't the only team the Cavs need to get by.
________
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Of course they can make up the games just like the Cavs did this season to overtake the top spot from the Celtics.
I agree Boston isn't the only one the Cavs must be aware of; I'm just saying that what happened last year has nothing to do with anybody this year.
GO CAVS!!!!!
The Great City in, OH
Posted 10:32 PM, 01/09/2009
IT'S OVER (Well, almost. THE CAVS WILL TAKE THIS ONE AS EXPECTED!!!!
