Celtics-Cavaliers Preview

By TOM WITHERS
Posted May 10 2010 7:17PM

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) Unable to corral Rajon Rondo so far in the NBA playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers may resort to Plan LeB.

LeBron James, it's your turn.

With Rondo coming off an historic 29-point, 18-rebound, 13-assist performance in Game 4, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said Monday he plans to use an assortment of players to try to slow the seemingly unstoppable Celtics point guard and one of them could be James, the league's two-time MVP and a first-team all-defense selection.

``We're going to give 'Bron an opportunity,'' Brown said.

Rondo's not scared.

``I don't really care who's guarding me,'' he said.

That's been apparent through the first four games of this ping-ponging series, tied 2-2 going into Tuesday's pivotal Game 5 at Quicken Loans Arena. Rondo, no longer viewed as the fourth Celtic behind Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, has been destroying the Cavs - particularly Mo Williams and Anthony Parker - with his dribble penetration and playmaking.

Rondo is averaging 21.8 points, 13 assists and 8.3 rebounds, eye-popping, LeBron-like numbers that have forced the Cavs into rethinking, and, perhaps, redesigning their defensive strategy. One obvious option is the switch to James, who has shut down Pierce so far and said Sunday he would be willing to check Rondo.

Brown worries that if James is taken off Pierce, Boston's streaky forward may find his touch after averaging just 11.8 points and shooting only 32 percent through four games.

``You put LeBron on Rondo when he's doing a nice job of making Paul work and you have to put a smaller guy on Paul and we all know what Paul is capable of doing,'' Brown said. ``You do that for long stretches and it can open up a can of worms, and it puts some pressure on LeBron to work defensively throughout the entire game. We'll pick and choose our spots when to put LeBron on him.''

If James indeed gets assigned to Rondo, he'll join fellow superstars Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, who both have had to check Boston's tornado-in-tennis shoes guard.

Rondo isn't dreading a one-on-one confrontation with James.

``It's happened before,'' he said. ``LeBron is going to be LeBron. He's a great help defender so he's definitely going to be helping. He's a good defender. They did that a couple of years ago when Kobe was checking me in the finals. So, I'm used to bigger guys guarding me the shot and challenging me late because of their wingspan.

``I really don't care. If he checks me, he checks me. It's not going to change the way we run our offense.''

The Cavaliers did little more than some light shooting and conditioning after returning home following their 97-87 loss on Sunday. The primary objective was to break down tape of Game 4, when Rondo joined Oscar Robertson (1963) and Wilt Chamberlain (1967) as the third player in playoff history to have at least 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

``We watched, basically, the tape on him,'' said Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has dropped out of Brown's postseason rotation. ``It's hard for one guy to stop him because he is that good. It's going to take all five. We always knew that he was a hell of a player.

``Maybe we were so worried about The Big Three that in some degree we're underestimating him and that was our biggest mistake.''

There's still time to correct it, but the danger for the Cavs is that if they focus too much on Rondo, Pierce, Allen or Garnett is capable of having a monster game and sending Boston home with a 3-2 lead.

Pierce hasn't been able to get into a rhythm. Hounded by James, he scored only nine points on Sunday and was in foul trouble.

``I'm digging myself a ditch as far as my fouls but I think they're good fouls I'm getting,'' he said. ``It's nothing I'm really worried about. No matter how I'm doing offensively, as long as we win, that's all that matters to me. There's nothing wrong with me.''

Like his point guard, Boston coach Doc Rivers isn't concerned about matchups. The Celtics, possibly overlooked as an underdog, are holding their own with the Cavs.

The LeBron vs. Rondo undercard is a bout they're ready to accept.

``We don't care who guards Rondo,'' Rivers said. ``We're going to still run our stuff. It's not like we're going to stop running our offense. We've anticipated it. I've only talked about it for three games. We know it's going to come at some point in the series and when it does, we have to find a way of using Rondo and making sure he's still the facilitator.''

Nothing has been easy for the Cavs. They entered the postseason as one of the favorites and now find themselves in a best-of-three dogfight.

During his post-practice media session, Brown was pressed on a number of issues beyond stopping Rondo.

He was asked about his decision to sit center Shaquille O'Neal for all but the first 49 seconds of the fourth quarter on Sunday. He was challenged about Ilgauskas' lack of playing time, James' seven turnovers in Game 4 and Cleveland's poor bench production.

At least he didn't have to talk about James' famously sprained elbow, which dominated the discussion between Games 2 and 3.

Brown was asked if the Cavs are feeling the pressure.

``In the playoffs everybody wants to win,'' he said. ``You expect to win. If you're up 3-0 you probably feel less pressure than if you're down 1-2. Yeah, I think it's a natural human instinct to feel a little bit of pressure, but it's good pressure and you got to welcome at this point in the season.

``Especially if you expect to be champions.''

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Celtics take commanding lead as Cavs fold in crucial game

By Sam Amico, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday May 12, 2010 12:24AM

CLEVELAND (NBA.com exclusive) -- Three times Boston out-hustled Cleveland to secure an offensive rebound, and three times Celtics guard Ray Allen immediately followed with a 3-pointer.

In the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Celtics and Cavaliers, it's all just been a matter of who wants it more.

Right now, that honor belongs to the old pros from the one of the league's oldest franchises, as the visiting Celtics took a commanding 3-2 series lead with a 120-88 hammer job of the Cavs on Tuesday night.

Yes, it really is commanding, considering Game 6 is Thursday night -- in Boston. It's true that the Cavs already won there once in this series (Game 3), but it would be fair to wonder if they have the motivation to do it again. When it has meant the most, LeBron James and the Cavs have been playing their worst.

A lot of credit for that belongs to the Celtics, who just keep finding a way to not only win, but drive the point home. More than at any other time this season, they are displaying the passion, effort and all-around team play that resulted in a championship two seasons ago.

Not surprisingly, the men who led that previous run -- veterans such as Allen (25 points), Paul Pierce (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Kevin Garnett (18 points) -- are the same stars who are leading this one. Throw in point guard Rajon Rondo (16 points, seven assists), and some strong post play off the bench from Glen Davis (15 points), and these Celtics look every bit as good as the 2008 version.

That's especially true now that Pierce returned to form after four mostly off games. On Tuesday, he resembled his old self -- not only on offense, but in helping force LeBron James into a miserable 3-for-14 shooting performance and 15 measly points. That included zero field goals in the first half.

"The veterans are the key," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "The vets, they've been here before."

For the Celtics, nothing has been overly fancy, Rivers implied. It's just a more polished version of what they had been trying to do during the entire regular season.

"We were just sharing the ball, running our stuff," Rivers said. "We are who we are. We don't need anyone to play hero basketball. We have to be a team. We're good when we're a team."

That was on full display Tuesday, when the Celtics out-rebounded the Cavs (41-31), out-passed them (25-20 in assists) and took considerably better care of the ball (10 turnovers to the Cavs' 17).

And when it came to defending, it was a big no contest, as the Celtics shot a sizzling 55 percent, compared to a miserable 42 percent for the Cavs.

But even those numbers hardly tell how much of a blowout this really was, with Cavs fans loudly booing the home team midway through the third quarter. They only relented long enough to head for the exits much too early in the fourth.

James, who has been playing most of the playoffs with a strained elbow, wasn't the only Cavalier to struggle. Antawn Jamison, acquired in a late-season trade to help the Cavs win their first title, scored just nine points and didn't attempt a free throw. Also, starting point guard Mo Williams continued to labor, both in shooting the ball and in trying to defend Rondo.

"I missed a lot of open shots that I normally make," James said. "You don't see that out of me a lot so when it happens, it's a big surprise."

About the only good the Cavs could take out of this was the performance of Shaquille O'Neal (21 points, 7-for-11 shooting). That, and despite appearances, this series isn't actually over until someone wins four games.

Even Garnett knows that much.

"We cannot come back here," Garnett said. "We have to think this is our Game 7 coming up and we cannot afford to have the best team in the league have a Game 7 on their floor. Just not possible."

That said, James and the Cavs understand what they are up against. Winning twice on the other team's home floor in the same series isn't unachievable (the Celtics have proven that), it's just not exactly how you want to go about doing things.

"Our backs are against the wall," James said. "We've won on that floor before and we've got to get it done."

• Celtics: Gaffney, Lafayette, Scalabrine
• Cavaliers: Green, Telfair, Williams

• Celtics: Perkins, Rondo
• Cavaliers: O'Neal, Williams

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 3

• Arena: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
• Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #34 Marc Davis, #57 Greg Willard
• Attendance: 20562
• Duration: 2:46

Boston Celtics (51-32)		Cleveland Cavaliers (61-22)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball O'Neal vs Perkins (Williams gains possession)
	11:37 [CLE 2-0]	Jamison Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (1 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:09 [BOS 2-2]
	10:52	James Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:51
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	10:35
	10:34	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:27 [CLE 4-2]	Jamison Reverse Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: James (1 AST)
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	10:16
	10:15	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:58	Jamison Jump Shot: Missed Block: Perkins (1 BLK)
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:56
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	09:50
	09:48	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Perkins Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:39
	09:39 [CLE 5-2]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	09:39 [CLE 6-2]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Pierce Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (1 BLK)	09:25
	09:22	Team Rebound
	08:59	Parker 3pt Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:58
Perkins Jump Hook Shot: Missed	08:41
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:38
Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:33 [BOS 4-6]
	08:18 [CLE 8-4]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:53 [BOS 6-8]
	07:41	O'Neal Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Missed Block: Jamison (1 BLK)	07:29
	07:26	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:25	Williams Turnover : Palming Turnover (1 TO)
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	07:10
	06:54	Parker 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:53	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:48 [CLE 10-6]	O'Neal Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: James (2 AST)
	06:39	Jamison Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Rondo Jump Shot: Missed	06:29
	06:28	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:23	Williams Layup Shot: Missed
	06:23	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:23	O'Neal Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (1 BLK)
	06:23	Team Rebound
	06:22 [CLE 12-6]	Parker Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: James (3 AST)
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:22
	06:22 [CLE 13-6]	Parker Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Perkins Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)	06:12 [BOS 8-13]
	06:12	James Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)	06:12 [BOS 9-13]
	05:50	O'Neal Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:48
Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)	05:32 [BOS 11-13]
	05:12 [CLE 15-11]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Perkins Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:12
	05:12	Team Timeout : Regular
Perkins Substitution replaced by Wallace	05:12
	05:12 [CLE 16-11]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 (7 PTS)
Allen Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	04:52 [BOS 13-16]
	04:33	Jamison Jump Shot: Missed
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:32
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)	04:22 [BOS 15-16]
	04:02	O'Neal Layup Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:01
	03:41	Parker Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)
	03:41	Jamison Substitution replaced by Varejao
	03:41	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
Allen Free Throw Technical (3 PTS)	03:41 [BOS 16-16]
	03:37	Williams Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	03:37 [BOS 17-16]
	03:37	Williams Substitution replaced by West
Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	03:37 [BOS 18-16]
	03:14	Parker Running Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:12
Pierce Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	03:04
	03:01	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:48 [CLE 18-18]	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Varejao (1 AST)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	02:37
	02:35	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:23 [CLE 21-18]	Parker 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: James (4 AST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)	02:14 [BOS 20-21]
	01:59	Parker Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:59
Garnett Substitution replaced by Allen	01:59
Allen Substitution replaced by Davis	01:59
	01:59	Parker Substitution replaced by Moon
Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Missed	01:46
	01:44	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:38	Ilgauskas Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Wallace Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	01:25
Wallace Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	01:25
	00:59.9	James Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:57.9
Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Moon (1 ST)	00:52.9
	00:45.9	West Layup Shot: Missed
	00:43.7	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	00:43.7	Ilgauskas Tip Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:40.9
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	00:40.8
	00:16.9 [CLE 23-20]	West Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	00:03.7	Moon Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Davis Substitution replaced by Allen	00:03.7
	00:03.7	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Parker
Allen Substitution replaced by Robinson	00:03.7
Instant Replay - Support Ruling	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-32)		Cleveland Cavaliers (61-22)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Allen Jump Shot: Missed Block: Varejao (1 BLK)	11:44
	11:42	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:25
	11:25 [CLE 24-20]	Varejao Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
Pierce Substitution replaced by Allen	11:25
	11:25 [CLE 25-20]	Varejao Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
	11:16	Varejao Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Rondo Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (1 BLK)	11:06
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:06
	11:06	Varejao Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:06 [BOS 21-25]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:06
	11:05	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Wallace Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:55
	10:55 [CLE 26-21]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	10:55 [CLE 27-21]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Davis Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	10:34
	10:33	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:08	West Running Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:06
Allen Layup Shot: Missed	10:00
	09:59	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	09:53 [CLE 29-21]	Williams Pullup Jump shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Varejao (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:44
Rondo Substitution replaced by Pierce	09:44
Pierce Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (2 BLK)	09:33
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:31
Allen Jump Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:29 [BOS 23-29]
	09:14	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:13
Davis Jump Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (3 BLK)	09:06
Team Rebound	09:06
	09:06	James Substitution replaced by Parker
	09:06	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by O'Neal
	09:03	Parker Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	09:03	Varejao Substitution replaced by Jamison
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	08:50
Allen Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	08:48
Jump Ball Williams vs Allen	08:45
Allen Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:West (1 ST)	08:45
Wallace Foul : Personal (3 PF)	08:36
Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett	08:36
Wallace Substitution replaced by Perkins	08:36
	08:22	O'Neal Hook Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	08:19
Pierce Jump Shot: Missed	08:10
Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	08:08
	08:02	Parker Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	08:02
Team Rebound	08:02
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	08:02 [BOS 24-29]
	07:41	West Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	07:41	West Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Pierce Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)	07:21 [BOS 26-29]
	07:10	O'Neal Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	07:10	O'Neal Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
	07:10	West Substitution replaced by James
	07:10	Double Technical - O'Neal, Perkins
Allen Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	06:59
	06:56	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	06:48	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
	06:47	Parker Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Perkins Foul : Personal (3 PF)	06:41
Perkins Substitution replaced by Davis	06:41
	06:24	Jamison Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	06:08
Team Rebound	06:07
	06:07	Williams Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	06:07 [BOS 27-29]
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	06:07 [BOS 28-29]
	05:55	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:54
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)	05:45 [BOS 30-29]
	05:28	Jamison Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Timeout : Official	05:28
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	05:09 [BOS 32-29]
	04:42	Jamison Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	04:39
Allen Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Pierce (3 AST)	04:34 [BOS 34-29]
	04:04	Parker Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Allen (3 AST)	04:02 [BOS 36-29]
	04:02	James Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	04:02	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:02	Jamison Substitution replaced by Varejao
	04:02	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 1 (12 PTS)	04:02 [BOS 37-29]
Pierce Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:51
	03:51 [CLE 30-37]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	03:51 [CLE 31-37]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Garnett Step Back Jump shot: Missed	03:28
	03:28	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Davis Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:28
Allen Substitution replaced by Rondo	03:28
	03:28 [CLE 32-37]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	03:28	James Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	03:27
Allen Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)	03:14 [BOS 39-32]
Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:01
	03:01 [CLE 33-39]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)
	03:01 [CLE 34-39]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
Pierce Jump Shot: Missed	02:41
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	02:39
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)	02:33 [BOS 42-34]
	02:09 [CLE 36-42]	Varejao Jump Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	01:56
	01:55	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	01:49 [CLE 39-42]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: James (5 AST)
Davis Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	01:49
Team Timeout : Short	01:49
Davis Substitution replaced by Wallace	01:49
	01:49 [CLE 40-42]	Varejao Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	01:28 [BOS 44-40]
	01:17	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	01:16
Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Varejao (1 ST)	01:14
	01:14	Team Timeout : Short
	01:04	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	01:04
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)	00:50.7 [BOS 47-40]
Wallace Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	00:43.2
	00:43.2	James Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:43.2	Team Rebound
Wallace Substitution replaced by Williams	00:43.2
	00:43.2	Parker Substitution replaced by Jamison
	00:43.2	Williams Substitution replaced by West
	00:43.2	Varejao Substitution replaced by Moon
	00:43.2 [CLE 41-47]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Williams Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)	00:34.8 [BOS 49-41]
	00:18.9	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	00:17.6
	00:17.5	Ilgauskas Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:17.5
Team Rebound	00:17.5
Pierce Substitution replaced by Allen	00:17.5
	00:17.5	Moon Substitution replaced by Williams
Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	00:17.5 [BOS 50-41]
	00:08.6 [CLE 43-50]	Ilgauskas Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)
Williams Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:08.6
	00:08.6	Williams Substitution replaced by Moon
	00:08.6	James Substitution replaced by Gibson
Williams Substitution replaced by Pierce	00:08.6
Allen Substitution replaced by Finley	00:08.6
	00:08.6 [CLE 44-50]	Ilgauskas Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)
Pierce Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (4 BLK)	00:01.9
	00:00.7	Gibson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
End of 2nd Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-32)		Cleveland Cavaliers (61-22)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	11:40
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	11:37
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)	11:27 [BOS 53-44]
	11:08	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	11:07
Pierce Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:59
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	10:58
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Pierce (4 AST)	10:54 [BOS 56-44]
Garnett Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:41
	10:29 [CLE 46-56]	O'Neal Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Williams (1 AST)
Garnett Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	10:15
Garnett Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	10:15
	09:57	James Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	09:57	James Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:47 [BOS 58-46]
	09:47	Williams Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Rondo Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	09:47
	09:46	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	09:31	James Jump Shot: Missed
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:30
	09:14	O'Neal Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Garnett Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)	09:05 [BOS 60-46]
	08:52	Jamison Jump Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (2 BLK)
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	08:49
Rondo Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:29 [BOS 62-46]
	08:14	James Jump Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	08:13
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	08:00
	07:59	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:48 [CLE 48-62]	O'Neal Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Williams (2 AST)
	07:27	Jamison Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:27
Team Rebound	07:27
Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	07:27 [BOS 63-48]
	07:10 [CLE 50-63]	O'Neal Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Williams (3 AST)
Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	06:55 [BOS 65-50]
	06:37	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	06:36
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	06:21
	06:20	Parker Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:15 [CLE 52-65]	James Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Williams (4 AST)
Rondo Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)	05:57 [BOS 67-52]
	05:54	Team Timeout : Short
	05:54	Williams Substitution replaced by Gibson
Rondo Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:45
	05:45	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:45	Team Rebound
	05:45	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	05:45
	05:30	Gibson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	05:30
Team Rebound	05:30
	05:30	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Varejao
Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	05:30 [BOS 68-52]
	05:15	Varejao Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	05:14
Perkins Jump Shot: Missed	04:58
Team Rebound	04:57
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Rondo (6 AST)	04:50 [BOS 70-52]
	04:38	James Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Rondo (7 AST)	04:25 [BOS 73-52]
	04:09 [CLE 55-73]	Jamison 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: James (6 AST)
Garnett Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:James (1 ST)	03:52
Rondo Foul : Personal (2 PF)	03:47
Garnett Substitution replaced by Davis	03:47
	03:38	Jamison 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	03:37
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	03:22
	03:20	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	03:11	James Jump Shot: Missed
	03:10	Varejao Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	03:10	Varejao Tip Shot: Missed
	03:10	Varejao Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	03:10	Jamison Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
	03:05	Gibson Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (1 ST)
Varejao Violation:Kicked Ball	03:02
Team Timeout : Regular	03:02
Davis Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Pierce (5 AST)	02:51 [BOS 75-55]
	02:33 [CLE 58-75]	Parker 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Gibson (1 AST)
Rondo Jump Shot: Missed	02:09
	02:08	Varejao Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)
	01:58 [CLE 60-75]	James Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Rondo 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Allen (4 AST)	01:30 [BOS 78-60]
	01:07	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:05
Perkins Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	00:50.9
Allen Substitution replaced by Allen	00:50.9
Perkins Substitution replaced by Wallace	00:50.9
	00:42.8	Varejao Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	00:42.8	Varejao Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Pierce Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)	00:32.9 [BOS 80-60]
	00:17.5 [CLE 62-80]	Parker Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: James (7 AST)
Rondo Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	00:17.5
	00:17.5	James Substitution replaced by Moon
	00:17.5 [CLE 63-80]	Parker Free Throw 1 of 1 (12 PTS)
Wallace 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Boston Celtics (51-32)		Cleveland Cavaliers (61-22)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:39	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)	11:38
	11:22	Ilgauskas Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	11:22	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Jamison
Rondo Running Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	11:09 [BOS 82-63]
	10:53	Gibson 3pt Shot: Missed
Allen Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	10:52
Davis Reverse Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)	10:38 [BOS 84-63]
	10:38	Jamison Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	10:38	Varejao Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Davis Free Throw 1 of 1 (6 PTS)	10:38 [BOS 85-63]
Pierce Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:31
	10:31	James Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	10:31	Team Rebound
	10:31 [CLE 64-85]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Davis Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)	10:15 [BOS 87-64]
	09:53 [CLE 66-87]	O'Neal Jump Hook Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Rondo Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (2 BLK)	09:34
Team Rebound	09:34
Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Missed	09:27
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	09:27
Davis Putback Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	09:27 [BOS 89-66]
	09:27	Williams Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
	09:27	Gibson Substitution replaced by Parker
Davis Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)	09:27 [BOS 90-66]
Wallace Foul : Shooting (5 PF)	09:13
	09:13 [CLE 67-90]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)
Wallace Substitution replaced by Garnett	09:13
	09:13 [CLE 68-90]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)	08:54 [BOS 92-68]
	08:41	Parker 3pt Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:10)	08:40
Garnett Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:O'Neal (1 ST)	08:22
Allen Foul : Personal (2 PF)	08:16
	08:16	Timeout : Official
Pierce Substitution replaced by Allen	08:16
	08:05 [CLE 70-92]	Parker Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (2 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (3 BLK)	07:49
	07:49	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
Rondo Foul : Personal (4 PF)	07:49
	07:38	James Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Rondo Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (4 BLK)	07:25
	07:23	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:11 [CLE 72-92]	James Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)
	06:51	Jamison Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
Allen Substitution replaced by Pierce	06:51
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	06:51 [BOS 93-72]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	06:51 [BOS 94-72]
	06:35	Jamison Running Jump Shot: Missed
	06:33	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:33 [CLE 74-94]	Jamison Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)
	06:15	Williams Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:15
Team Rebound	06:15
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	06:15 [BOS 95-74]
	06:06	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Davis (1 ST)
Rondo Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Pierce (6 AST)	05:59 [BOS 97-74]
Davis Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	05:50
	05:50	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:50	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:50	Team Rebound
	05:50 [CLE 75-97]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
	05:39	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)	05:39 [BOS 98-75]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:39
	05:38	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	05:21	James Jump Shot: Missed
	05:20	Team Rebound
Davis Substitution replaced by Perkins	05:20
	05:15	Jamison Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Pierce (2 ST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	05:08 [BOS 100-75]
	04:46 [CLE 77-100]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Williams (5 AST)
Allen Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:46
	04:46	Jamison Substitution replaced by Varejao
	04:46 [CLE 78-100]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 (21 PTS)
	04:45	Varejao Foul : Personal (4 PF)
	04:45	Varejao Substitution replaced by Jamison
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	04:45 [BOS 101-78]
Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	04:45
Team Rebound	04:44
	04:42	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Hickson
	04:40	Hickson Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	04:40	Double Technical - Williams, Rondo
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	04:40
Team Rebound	04:40
	04:40	Hickson Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	04:40 [BOS 102-78]
	04:30	James Jump Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	04:29
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Pierce (7 AST)	04:07 [BOS 105-78]
Pierce Foul : Personal (3 PF)	03:58
	03:58	James Substitution replaced by Moon
	03:58	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Hickson
Rondo Substitution replaced by Allen	03:58
	03:58 [CLE 79-105]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	03:58 [CLE 80-105]	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
	03:47	Hickson Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	03:47	Williams Substitution replaced by Gibson
Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	03:47 [BOS 106-80]
Garnett Substitution replaced by Williams	03:47
Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	03:47 [BOS 107-80]
	03:29 [CLE 83-107]	Gibson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Jamison (1 AST)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Perkins (1 AST)	03:02 [BOS 110-83]
Perkins Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	02:50
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels	02:50
Allen Substitution replaced by Robinson	02:50
	02:50	Jamison Substitution replaced by Powe
	02:50 [CLE 84-110]	Moon Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	02:50 [CLE 85-110]	Moon Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Perkins Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)	02:25 [BOS 112-85]
Perkins Foul : Personal (5 PF)	02:14
	02:14	Powe Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:14	Team Rebound
	02:14 [CLE 86-112]	Powe Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)
	02:02	Powe Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	02:02 [BOS 113-86]
Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	02:02 [BOS 114-86]
	01:48	Powe Jump Shot: Missed Block: Perkins (2 BLK)
Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:47
Daniels Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)	01:44 [BOS 116-86]
	01:21 [CLE 88-116]	Moon Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Parker (1 AST)
Daniels Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	01:05 [BOS 118-88]
Perkins Substitution replaced by Finley	00:56.5
	00:52.5	Powe Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	00:52.5	Powe Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Williams Dunk Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Daniels (1 AST)	00:33.4 [BOS 120-88]
	00:17.9	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed
Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:16.7
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			TNT	National	8:00 pm ET