Upcoming Matchup

Celtics		Cavs
88.4	PPG	91.3
87.5	PA	94.4
43.8	RPG	45.3
4-4	Last 10	2-6
Lost 1	Streak	Lost 1

Boston (4-4) vs. Cleveland (2-6)
Friday, November 14, 2003
@ the FleetCenter, 7:30 PM
TV: Fox Sports Net New England
Radio: WWZN 1510 AM The Zone

All-Time Series: Boston leads 100-52 (Celtics are 60-15 at home)

The Green and White host the Cleveland Cavaliers in an Eastern Conference showdown of two teams trying to make some early season noise...The Celtics swept Cleveland in their four meetings last season...Both teams are coming off difficult losses on Wednesday night and looking to get back into the win column after a day of rest...This game marks rookie phenom, Lebron James', initial regular season appearance in Beantown.

KEY MATCHUP Paul Pierce Lebron James Height: 6-6 Weight: 230 Experience: 5 Years Points: 21.0 Rebounds: 7.5 Assists: 5.5 Height: 6-8 Weight: 240 Experience: Rookie Points: 17.0 Rebounds: 5.9 Assists: 3.6 Skinny: Friday night's key match up should be an entertaining one as two of the most exciting superstars in the league go head to head for the first time...Lebron mania has swept through the NBA, and the question that will be answered Friday night will be whether he can compete with one of the best two guards the league has to offer...Like Pierce, James is the focal point of his offense as both players are skilled in all facets of the game, but Pierce is a much more polished player than James...Look for Pierce to come back strong from his season-low 14 point, on 5-16 shooting effort...The game could be decided on which of these guys can get going early on, because the way that they play immensely impacts the rest of their team's offense.

TEAM LEADERS CELTICS PACERS Pierce Points: Pierce - 21.0 Rebounds: Pierce - 7.5 Assists: Pierce - 5.5 Boozer Points: James - 17.0 Rebounds: Boozer - 10.5 Assists: James - 6.6

Etc: Boston has not been defeated by Cleveland since 11/7/97, the span of ten games is their longest active winning streak against any opponent...Neither team has scored 100-plus points in the Celtics first eight games, the last time this happened was in the 1953-54 season...Entering Friday nights game James is first in assists, and second in points and rebounds per game among NBA rookies...J.R. Bremer a key contributor to last year's Celtic squad will face his former team for the first time.

Compiled by Craig Dwyer