Celtics (35-19) vs. Cavaliers (44-14)
Game time: 8pm, TD Garden. TV – TNT, Radio – WEEI-AM (850)
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce – 17.9 Cavaliers: LeBron James – 29.8
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins – 8.0 Cavaliers: Andy Varajeo – 7.8
Assists
Bos: Rondo – 9.8 Cavaliers: James – 8.5
Who'll go off: Rajon Rondo. He must push the tempo and find easy shots for Ray, KG and co.
Who needs to be stopped: Antawn Jamison. Without Paul Pierce, the Celtics can forget about even slowing down LeBron. They need to focus on option 2, Jamison.
The C's will lose if… Shaq and/or Varajeo have big offensive games. The Celtics trio of Perk, KG and Sheed need to control the boards and limit the effectiveness of the Cavalier bigs. If they can, the Cavs might resort to taking too many 3s.
Miscellany: Paul Pierce is doubtful (thumb) and Marquis Daniels is questionable (flu). The Celtics beat the Cavs 95-89 in Cleveland in the season opener Oct. 27. The Cavs are coming off a 105-95 win vs New Orleans Tuesday night. The win snapped a season high 3 game losing streak. Mo Williams is 3-18 in the last two games.
Prediction: Cavaliers 99 – Celtics 91
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