Cavaliers-Celtics Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Dec 19 2012 12:56AM

Kyrie Irving claims the Cleveland Cavaliers are more assertive versus the NBA's so-called elite teams than against lesser competition.

The Boston Celtics will need to start playing considerably better in order to be known as the former.

Boston looks to avoid a fourth straight loss while Cleveland tries to end a four-game skid Wednesday night at TD Garden.

The Cavaliers (5-21) have the most losses in the league and haven't won since beating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-94 on Dec. 11 - Irving's first game back after missing the previous 11 with a broken finger.

That victory was followed by losses to Indiana and Milwaukee before Irving scored a career-high 41 points as Cleveland hung tough with New York in a 103-102 defeat Saturday.

The Cavs didn't play nearly as well in Tuesday's 113-99 home loss to Toronto - a team that had only one road victory entering the game.

"I'm not trying to make excuses, but when we play the lower-echelon teams we don't come out as we want to," said Irving, who scored 23 points and added seven assists but also committed five turnovers. "When we're playing against the Lakers and New York, we're in the game. We have to come with a more focused attitude."

Boston, which has won four of the last five meetings with Cleveland, hopes to take advantage of playing one of those lower-echelon teams after going winless on its three-game road trip - marking its longest skid this season.

The Celtics (12-12) dropped each contest by double digits, including Monday's 100-89 loss to Chicago. Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 26 points and added eight assists while Paul Pierce finished with 16 points.

"We're going to keep searching," coach Doc Rivers said. "This team is not a good team right now."

Boston committed only nine turnovers Tuesday but shot 43.2 percent and scored fewer than 90 points for the third straight game.

"This is who we are right now. A .500 team. And we played like that (Tuesday)," Rivers said.

Boston likely will be happy to return home, where it has won four straight overall and seven of the last nine matchups with Cleveland. The Cavs won the latest one, though, 88-87 on Jan. 29 thanks to Irving's layup with 3 seconds remaining.

Cleveland got rookie Dion Waters back Tuesday after he missed eight games with a sprained left ankle, though it got a scare when Anderson Varejao left in the first quarter with a bruised right knee.

He returned in the second with a sleeve on his leg and proceeded to score 22 points, though coach Byron Scott is hoping there aren't any lasting effects. Varejao is the league's leading rebounder with 14.4 per game.

"I'm still concerned," Scott said of Varejao, who averaged 19.0 points and 14.5 boards in two games against the Celtics last season. "Even though he played ... we've got a flight, we've got another (game) tomorrow. We'll see how he feels."

It's also unclear if Daniel Gibson will be available Wednesday after leaving in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

Irving scored 24 points while Rondo went scoreless but finished with 11 assists as visiting Boston beat the Varejao-less Cavs 86-83 in the most recent meeting Feb. 28.

Copyright 2012 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

Pierce scores 40 to lead Celtics over Cavs 103-91

By KEN POWTAK
Posted Dec 19 2012 11:15PM

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce certainly showed he has a lot more left in his game.

The 35-year old Pierce became the oldest player in Celtics history to score 40 points in a regulation game, carrying Boston to a 103-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

"Oh yeah? Oh, wow. Another for the records, I guess," he said, smiling as he stood along a wall near the exit of the Celtics' locker room. "I've been here long enough. Who knows, maybe I'll go for 50 one day."

Judging by his night, anything may be possible.

Hall of Famer Larry Bird is the oldest ever to score 40 in a game, putting up 49 in a double-overtime contest when he was 35 years, 99 days old on March 15, 1992. Pierce is 32 days younger than Bird was when he reached the 40-point plateau.

The Celtics captain now has scored 23,101 points in his career and is 48 behind Elgin Baylor for 24th on the NBA's all-time list.

"When I first came into the league I always asked myself, `Do I want to be good or do I want to be great?' Pierce said. "Every time I stepped out and worked on my game, that's what I asked myself. I always got here early and worked on my craft as hard as I could because I wanted to be one of the great players."

In the first half, he scored 15 on 3-of-5 shooting from the floor, going 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.

Then in the second he showed age didn't matter.

Pierce made 10 of 11 shots from the floor after halftime, hitting his first eight - including his initial three 3-point attempts. He finished 13 of 16 from the field.

"Maybe I can play a little bit longer than anticipated, who knows?" he said, cracking another smile.

Rajon Rondo added 20 points and eight assists for the Celtics, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Jason Terry had 15 points and Kevin Garnett 12.

But it was Pierce that carried Boston after it nearly blew a 20-point lead he helped build.

"He did it in incredible stretches," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Went back in and picked up where he left off."

Kyrie Irving paced Cleveland with 22 points.

Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao, the league's leading rebounder, missed the game with a bruised right knee after he was hurt in Tuesday's home loss to Toronto. Tyler Zeller got his first career start and had 20 points for Cleveland.

"You know, it was nothing we could do with him tonight," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott of Pierce. "Sometimes a guy that's a great player like that, a future Hall of Famer, sometimes they get it going and there's really nothing much you can do - and Paul got it going. He hit some shots tonight that I hadn't seen him hit - or play that way - in a while. Sometimes you just got to pat him on the butt and say, `Great job."'

The Cavaliers lost their fifth straight and fell to 2-14 on the road.

Boston pushed the lead to 80-60 late in the third quarter, but the Cavaliers went on a 20-2 run spanning the end of the third and start of the fourth, closing to 82-80 on Zeller's three-point play 3 minutes into the final quarter.

Rondo's long jumper then started a game-breaking 14-4 run. Pierce, who nailed two jumpers and two free throws in the spurt, finally missed his first shot of the second half - a 3-point attempt from the top with 6:15 to play - after going 8 for 8 from the floor.

Pierce's fadeaway in the lane made it 96-84 with 3:59 remaining.

He capped his memorable night by making a double move in the lane before hitting a fallaway to make it 98-85 with 3:29 left.

"It's hard to really explain," he said. "You feel good, you feel like everything you shoot is going to go in and the rim is bigger than it normally is. You want the ball."

The Celtics held an eight-point lead at the half and used an offensive outburst by Pierce to open their 20-point advantage. He scored Boston's initial five points, nailing a 3-pointer to make it 59-51 early in the quarter. After the teams traded baskets, Pierce scored all of the points in a 12-2 run over the ensuing 3:37, capping it with consecutive 3s from nearly the same spot on the left wing 63 seconds apart to make it 75-57.

"He got hot," Irving said. "They just kept feeding him."

Following two free throws by Cleveland's Tristan Thompson, Terry nailed a 3 from the right corner, pushing Boston ahead 78-59 with 4:18 left in the quarter. Terry's jumper made it 80-60 with 3:33 left. Pierce, who was replaced with just under 4 minutes left in the quarter and left to a loud ovation, went 7 for 7 from the floor in the quarter.

After Pierce and Garnett went to the bench, Cleveland scored 12 of the final 14 points in the third, pulling to 82-72 heading into the fourth. Irving scored the final seven points of the quarter.

Boston led 27-25 after one and used an 8-0 run midway in the second en route to its 54-46 edge at halftime. Pierce nailed a 3 and hit two free throws in the run.

In the first half, the Celtics made 10 more free throws in 15 extra chances.

NOTES: Zeller was without a face mask for the first time since breaking his cheekbone in early November. ... Rivers changed his starting lineup and inserted G Terry and F Jason Collins. Rivers said he wanted to get Terry in the starting lineup because "he needs to be on the floor with a point guard that can get him the ball." Terry had just two shots in Boston's loss at Chicago on Tuesday night, but hit a 3 on his first attempt early in the game. Rivers wanted Collins in there to limit Garnett from playing center the entire time he was on the floor. ... The Celtics held a moment of silence before the National Anthem and showed all the names on the Jumbotron to remember the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. ... The Celtics didn't get home from Tuesday night's game in Chicago until about 2 P.M. due to mechanical problems with their plane. ... Cleveland's only two road wins came in November, against the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta.

Copyright 2012 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

Notebook: Celtics 103, Cavaliers 91

Brian Robb, for NBA.com
Posted Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:37 PM - Updated Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:37 PM

THE FACTS: Paul Pierce exploded for a season-high 40 points, helping the Boston Celtics hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 103-91 victory. The win also snapped a three-game losing streak for the Celtics. Boston led by as many as 20 in the third quarter behind the hot shooting of Pierce, who hit a scorching 13-for-16, to go along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Cleveland did not give in to the Pierce scoring onslaught despite missing star center Anderson Varejao (bruised right knee). The visitors closed a 20-point deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, behind Kyrie Irving (22 points) and an underwhelming performance from Boston's second unit, before Pierce returned to put the game away. With the defeat, Cleveland has now lost five consecutive games, and 10 of 11 overall.

QUOTABLE: "I feel like the last few games I've been shooting the ball a lot better, three or four games now. I'm really coming along where I'm starting to get into a good groove offensively. The way my shot's going, picking my spots. So even before tonight I felt good."
-- Paul Pierce

THE STAT: The Celtics turned up the aggression early on the offensive end, attacking the hoop relentlessly to put pressure on Cleveland's defense without Varejao. The strategy helped them earn 23 free-throw attempts in the first half alone. The hosts failed to sustain that mentality, earning just four free throws over the final 24 minutes, which helped the Cavs crawl back into the game late.

TURNING POINT: After Cleveland closed Boston's lead to four with 6:07 remaining in the game, the Celtics stopped the bleeding with a 10-1 run, keyed by none other than Pierce who scored six quick points during the outburst to help finish off the Cavs.

QUOTABLE II: "There was nothing that we could do with [Pierce] tonight. Sometimes a guy like that, a future hall of famer, sometimes they get it going and there's really nothing much you can do and Paul got it going. He hit some shots tonight that I hadn't seen him hit, or play that way in a while. "
-- Cavs coach Byron Scott

HOT: Pierce -- Boston's captain could not be stopped in the third quarter, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field, including three from beyond the arc. Pierce finished with 17 of his 40 points in the frame. It was Pierce's 24th 40-plus point game of his career, and first since April 18 in a loss against the Knicks.

NOT: Tristan Thompson -- The second-year forward failed to muster much offense in his battle with Kevin Garnett, going just 2-for-10 against the perennial All-Star in 38 minutes.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Irving -- The top pick of the 2011 NBA Draft has rounded nicely into form since recovering from a fractured left index finger. Irving has averaged 24 points, three rebounds and four assists over five games since returning to Cleveland's lineup.

ROOKIE WATCH: Luke Zeller -- The 22-year-old rookie made the first start of his NBA career in place of the injured Varejao. Zeller had problems defending Garnett most of the night, but managed to post a career high 20 points and three rebounds over his 36 minutes of action, another career best for the former North Carolina star.

NOTABLE: Jason Collins earned his first start of the season at center, replacing Brandon Bass in the starting five...Collins fouled out in 23 minutes of action. Jason Terry also returned to the starting lineup for Boston after a three game absence, in place of Courtney Lee...Daniel Gibson sat out with an elbow injury for Cleveland. ...The Celtics have won 150 consecutive games when they have led by 19 or more points...Pierce became the oldest player in Celtics history to score 40 points in a regulation game...The Celtics held a moment of silence for all the victims from Sandy Hook Elementary School.

UP NEXT: For Cleveland, Friday vs. Indiana, Saturday @ Milwaukee, Wednesday @ Washington. For Boston, Friday vs. Milwaukee, Tuesday @ Brooklyn, Thursday @ L.A. Clippers.

• Cavaliers: Leuer, Varejao
• Celtics: Joseph, Melo

• Cavaliers: --
• Celtics: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Officials: #28 Zach Zarba, #30 John Goble, #78 Scott Bolnick
• Attendance: 18624
• Duration: 2:08

Cleveland Cavaliers (5-22)		Boston Celtics (13-12)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Garnett vs Zeller (Irving gains possession)
Zeller Jump Shot: Missed	11:42
	11:41	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:30	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Irving Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:29
Gee Layup Shot: Missed Block: Pierce (1 BLK)	11:20
	11:19	Collins Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:11 [BOS 2-0]	Rondo Floating Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Zeller Running Hook Shot: Missed	10:44
	10:43	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Zeller Foul: Personal (1 PF)	10:36
	10:24 [BOS 5-0]	Terry 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)
	10:02	Collins Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Waiters Jump Shot: Missed	09:52
Thompson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:49
Gee 3pt Shot: Missed	09:39
	09:38	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	09:34 [BOS 7-0]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Waiters Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:22 [CLE 2-7]
	09:08	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	09:07
Waiters Pullup Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:55 [CLE 4-7]
	08:30	Pierce Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Missed
Zeller Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:29
Waiters Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Zeller (1 AST)	08:15 [CLE 6-7]
	08:05 [BOS 9-6]	Rondo Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
	07:42	Pierce Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Thompson Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:42 [CLE 7-9]
Thompson Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	07:42 [CLE 8-9]
	07:31	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	07:30
Waiters Jump Shot: Missed	07:16
	07:15	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:49	Terry 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:48
	06:48	Rondo Foul: Loose Ball (1 PF)
	06:48	Garnett Substitution replaced by Bass
Thompson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (1 ST)	06:32
	06:28 [BOS 11-8]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Irving 3pt Shot: Missed	06:23
	06:20	Collins Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:11	Rondo Layup Shot: Missed
Gee Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:10
Thompson Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:01 [CLE 10-11]
	06:01	Bass Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Thompson Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	06:01 [CLE 11-11]
	05:38 [BOS 13-11]	Bass Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Terry (1 AST)
Waiters Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	05:14 [CLE 13-13]
Waiters Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	05:01
	05:01	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:01	Collins Substitution replaced by Sullinger
	05:01	Terry Substitution replaced by Lee
Waiters Substitution replaced by Miles	05:01
Zeller Substitution replaced by Jones	05:01
	05:01 [BOS 14-13]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	05:01 [BOS 15-13]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Gee Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	04:37 [CLE 15-15]
Jones Foul: Shooting Block (1 PF) (2 FTA)	04:15
	04:15 [BOS 16-15]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	04:15 [BOS 17-15]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Gee Step Back Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)	03:58 [CLE 17-17]
	03:36	Bass Jump Shot: Missed
Gee Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:35
Jones Jump Shot: Missed	03:22
	03:22	Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:10 [BOS 20-17]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Bass (1 AST)
Gee Running Layup Shot: Missed	02:51
Jones Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	02:50
Jones Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	02:49 [CLE 19-20]
	02:31 [BOS 23-19]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Sullinger (1 AST)
Miles Jump Shot: Missed	02:19
Thompson Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	02:18
Thompson Tip Shot: Missed	02:18
	02:17	Bass Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Miles Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	02:12
Team Timeout : Regular	02:12
	02:12	Pierce Substitution replaced by Green
	02:12	Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:12	Team Rebound
	02:12 [BOS 24-19]	Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Irving Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)	01:54 [CLE 21-24]
	01:33	Lee Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gee (1 ST)
Gee Driving Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:30 [CLE 23-24]
Irving Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:16
	01:16	Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:16	Team Rebound
	01:16 [BOS 25-23]	Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Irving Turnaround Bank shot: Made (4 PTS)	00:59.8 [CLE 25-25]
Thompson Foul: Shooting Block (1 PF) (2 FTA)	00:51.6
	00:51.6 [BOS 26-25]	Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	00:51.6 [BOS 27-25]	Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Jones Turnaround Hook Shot: Missed	00:33.9
Miles Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	00:33.3
Jones Jump Shot: Missed	00:16.9
	00:14.8	Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	00:02.9	Bass Jump Shot: Missed
Miles Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	00:00.0
Miles 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Cleveland Cavaliers (5-22)		Boston Celtics (13-12)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:40	Green 3pt Shot: Missed
	11:38	Sullinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:34 [BOS 29-25]	Green Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lee (1 AST)
Zeller Hook Shot: Missed	11:12
	11:11	Terry Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:06	Lee Jump Shot: Missed
Sloan Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:05
Miles 3pt Shot: Missed	10:56
	10:55	Sullinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	10:31	Green 3pt Shot: Missed
	10:30	Sullinger Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	10:13	Terry Jump Shot: Missed
Walton Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:11
	10:07	Sullinger Foul: Shooting Block (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Zeller Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	10:07
Team Rebound	10:07
	10:07	Bass Substitution replaced by Garnett
Zeller Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:07 [CLE 26-29]
Miles Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	09:43
	09:43 [BOS 30-26]	Green Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
Miles Substitution replaced by Waiters	09:43
	09:43	Green Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Walton Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:42
Sloan Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:29 [CLE 28-30]
	09:29	Sullinger Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Sloan Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)	09:29 [CLE 29-30]
	09:12 [BOS 32-29]	Garnett Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Terry (2 AST)
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Sloan (1 AST)	08:56 [CLE 31-32]
	08:43	Garnett Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
	08:43
Jones Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (1 BLK)	08:19
	08:18	Sullinger Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	07:59 [BOS 34-31]	Lee Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Terry (3 AST)
Zeller Jump Shot: Missed	07:44
	07:43	Sullinger Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
Sloan Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	07:40
	07:40 [BOS 35-31]	Lee Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	07:40 [BOS 36-31]	Lee Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Walton 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Waiters (1 AST)	07:17 [CLE 34-36]
Zeller Foul: Personal (2 PF)	07:06
	07:06	Green Substitution replaced by Pierce
Jones Substitution replaced by Thompson	07:06
	07:06	Sullinger Substitution replaced by Collins
	06:55 [BOS 38-34]	Lee Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)
	06:36	Collins Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	06:36	Terry Substitution replaced by Rondo
Sloan Pullup Jump shot: Missed	06:25
Zeller Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:23
Zeller Hook Shot: Made (5 PTS)	06:22 [CLE 36-38]
	06:06 [BOS 40-36]	Garnett Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (4 PTS)
Thompson Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Missed	05:45
Thompson Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	05:43
Walton 3pt Shot: Missed	05:38
	05:37	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Waiters Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	05:31
	05:31	Team Timeout : Regular
Sloan Substitution replaced by Irving	05:31
Walton Substitution replaced by Gee	05:31
	05:31 [BOS 41-36]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	05:31 [BOS 42-36]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Waiters 3pt Shot: Missed	05:10
	05:08	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	04:56 [BOS 45-36]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)
Thompson Jump Shot: Missed	04:38
	04:37	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Gee Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	04:31
	04:31 [BOS 46-36]	Collins Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	04:31	Collins Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	04:30
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Thompson (1 AST)	04:04 [CLE 38-46]
	03:47 [BOS 48-38]	Garnett Step Back Jump shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)
Gee Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)	03:25 [CLE 40-48]
	03:15	Garnett Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	03:15	Garnett Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Thompson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (2 BLK)	03:00
Team Rebound	02:59
	02:59	Collins Foul: Loose Ball (3 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:59
	02:59	Collins Substitution replaced by Bass
Waiters Step Back Jump shot: Missed	02:50
Waiters Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	02:49
Waiters Layup Shot: Missed	02:46
	02:45	Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:36	Garnett 3pt Shot: Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	02:35
Gee 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Zeller (2 AST)	02:17 [CLE 43-48]
Irving Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	01:57
	01:57	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:57	Team Rebound
	01:57 [BOS 49-43]	Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
	01:49	Rondo Foul: Personal (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Waiters Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	01:49 [CLE 44-49]
	01:49	Lee Substitution replaced by Terry
Waiters Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	01:49
	01:48	Bass Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	01:32 [BOS 51-44]	Garnett Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)
Gee Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	01:32
	01:32 [BOS 52-44]	Garnett Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)
Irving Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (2 ST)	01:16
Zeller Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	01:14
	01:14	Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:14	Team Rebound
Zeller Substitution replaced by Jones	01:14
	01:14	Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Gee Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	01:13
Irving Pullup Jump shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Waiters (2 AST)	00:57.6 [CLE 46-52]
	00:38.9 [BOS 54-46]	Bass Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)
Irving Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	00:12.9
	00:11.9	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:00.0	Rondo 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
Cleveland Cavaliers (5-22)		Boston Celtics (13-12)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:40 [BOS 56-46]	Pierce Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (17 PTS)
Thompson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (3 BLK)	11:16
Irving Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	11:13
Irving 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Waiters (3 AST)	11:09 [CLE 49-56]
	10:55 [BOS 59-49]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS)
	10:34	Rondo Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Waiters 3pt Shot: Missed	10:19
Zeller Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	10:17
Zeller Putback Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)	10:16 [CLE 51-59]
	09:57 [BOS 61-51]	Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Terry (4 AST)
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Gee (1 AST)	09:30 [CLE 53-61]
	09:11 [BOS 63-53]	Garnett Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Waiters (4 AST)	08:57 [CLE 55-63]
Thompson Foul: Personal (2 PF)	08:39
	08:31 [BOS 65-55]	Pierce Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (22 PTS)
Gee Jump Shot: Missed	08:09
Team Rebound	08:09
	08:09	Pierce Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)
Waiters Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (1 ST)	08:03
	07:58 [BOS 67-55]	Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)
Irving Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)	07:40
	07:28	Rondo Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	07:26
	07:14	Terry Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Irving 3pt Shot: Missed	07:10
	07:09	Terry Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:07	Terry Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Thompson (1 ST)
Gee Layup Shot: Missed	07:00
	06:59	Team Rebound
	06:59	Garnett Substitution replaced by Bass
	06:41	Bass Jump Shot: Missed
Irving Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:40
Gee 3pt Shot: Missed	06:32
Team Rebound	06:31
Irving Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Thompson (2 AST)	06:26 [CLE 57-67]
	06:20 [BOS 69-57]	Pierce Driving Dunk Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)
Irving Pullup Jump shot: Missed	06:05
	06:04	Bass Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	05:58 [BOS 72-57]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (29 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:56
	05:56	Collins Substitution replaced by Sullinger
Gee Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Sullinger (1 ST)	05:43
	05:31	Sullinger Jump Shot: Missed Block: Thompson (1 BLK)
	05:30	Team Rebound
Waiters Substitution replaced by Miles	05:30
Zeller Substitution replaced by Samuels	05:30
	05:30	Sullinger Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Thompson (2 ST)
	05:30	Jump Ball Sullinger vs Thompson (Gee gains possession)
Samuels Jump Shot: Missed	05:09
	05:07	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	04:55 [BOS 75-57]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (32 PTS) Assist: Rondo (6 AST)
	04:34	Sullinger Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Thompson Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)	04:34 [CLE 58-75]
Thompson Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	04:34 [CLE 59-75]
	04:19 [BOS 78-59]	Terry 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Pierce (3 AST)
Miles 3pt Shot: Missed	04:03
	04:02	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
Irving Foul: Personal (3 PF)	03:42
	03:42	Pierce Substitution replaced by Green
	03:36	Bass Jump Shot: Missed Block: Thompson (2 BLK)
Irving Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:35
	03:33	Sullinger Foul: Personal (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Irving Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:33
Team Rebound	03:33
Irving Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)	03:33 [CLE 60-78]
	03:16 [BOS 80-60]	Terry Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (7 AST)
	02:54	Bass Foul: Personal Block (2 PF) (2 FTA)
	02:54	Team Timeout : Regular
Gee Substitution replaced by Walton	02:54
Samuels Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	02:54 [CLE 61-80]
Samuels Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:54
Thompson Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)	02:52
Irving Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	02:41 [CLE 63-80]
Samuels Foul: Personal (1 PF)	02:28
	02:16 [BOS 82-63]	Sullinger Reverse Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (8 AST)
Samuels Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (3 PTS)	01:50 [CLE 65-82]
	01:32	Rondo Foul: Offensive Charge (4 PF)
	01:32	Rondo Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	01:32	Rondo Substitution replaced by Lee
Irving 3pt Shot: Made (17 PTS)	01:22 [CLE 68-82]
	01:04	Green Jump Shot: Missed
Miles Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:03
Irving Pullup Jump shot: Made (19 PTS)	00:54.0 [CLE 70-82]
Miles Foul: Personal (3 PF)	00:44.8
	00:44.8	Sullinger Substitution replaced by Garnett
	00:44.8	Terry Substitution replaced by Barbosa
	00:35.7	Green Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	00:35.7	Green Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Irving Jump Shot: Missed	00:29.9
Thompson Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)	00:27.9
Thompson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Green (1 BLK)	00:26.9
	00:25.4	Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:19.9	Lee Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)
Irving Running Layup Shot: Made (21 PTS)	00:01.6 [CLE 72-82]
	00:00.0	Bass 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
Cleveland Cavaliers (5-22)		Boston Celtics (13-12)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Samuels Jump Shot: Missed	11:37
Waiters Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	11:34
Zeller Hook Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Miles (1 AST)	11:16 [CLE 74-82]
	11:03	Lee Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Waiters 3pt Shot: Missed	10:46
	10:45	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:28	Barbosa Jump Shot: Missed
Walton Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:27
Miles 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Samuels (1 AST)	10:07 [CLE 77-82]
	09:40	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Miles Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	09:39
Samuels Jump Shot: Missed	09:28
	09:28	Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	09:27	Team Timeout : Regular
	09:27	Lee Substitution replaced by Terry
	09:27	Green Substitution replaced by Pierce
	09:27	Barbosa Substitution replaced by Rondo
Walton Foul: Personal (1 PF)	09:19
	09:19	Bass Substitution replaced by Collins
Samuels Foul: Personal (2 PF)	09:16
	09:15	Rondo Foul: Offensive (5 PF)
	09:15	Rondo Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Miles (2 AST)	09:04 [CLE 79-82]
	09:04	Collins Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)
Zeller Free Throw 1 of 1 (18 PTS)	09:04 [CLE 80-82]
	08:52 [BOS 84-80]	Rondo Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Samuels Jump Shot: Missed	08:33
	08:32	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
Samuels Foul: Shooting Block (3 PF) (2 FTA)	08:18
	08:18 [BOS 85-80]	Rondo Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	08:18 [BOS 86-80]	Rondo Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
Miles Substitution replaced by Irving	07:56
Zeller Jump Shot: Missed	07:53
	07:52	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	07:29	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Zeller (1 ST)
	07:23	Pierce Violation:Kicked Ball
Walton Substitution replaced by Thompson	07:23
Samuels Substitution replaced by Gee	07:23
Zeller Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Gee (2 AST)	07:16 [CLE 82-86]
	06:56 [BOS 88-82]	Pierce Jump Shot: Made (34 PTS)
Thompson Driving Jump shot: Missed	06:30
	06:29	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	06:18	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Waiters Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	06:17
Waiters Running Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	06:08 [CLE 84-88]
	05:46	Rondo Jump Shot: Missed
Waiters Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	05:45
Waiters Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed Block: Collins (1 BLK)	05:29
Team Rebound	05:28
	05:28
	05:28	Garnett Substitution replaced by Bass
Gee Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Terry (1 ST)	05:27
	05:22 [BOS 90-84]	Terry Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Irving Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Collins (1 ST)	05:01
	04:48 [BOS 92-84]	Rondo Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Pierce (4 AST)
Waiters Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Pierce (2 ST)	04:34
Irving Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)	04:30
	04:30 [BOS 93-84]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (35 PTS)
	04:30 [BOS 94-84]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (36 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	04:30
Waiters Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Pierce (3 ST)	04:14
	03:59 [BOS 96-84]	Pierce Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (38 PTS)
	03:42	Collins Foul: Shooting Block (5 PF) (2 FTA)
Irving Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:42
Team Rebound	03:42
Irving Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)	03:42 [CLE 85-96]
	03:29 [BOS 98-85]	Pierce Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Made (40 PTS)
Irving Running Jump Shot: Missed	03:15
Thompson Rebound (Off:6 Def:5)	03:14
	03:13	Collins Foul: Flagrant Type 1 (6 PF) (2 FTA)
	03:13	Collins Substitution replaced by Garnett
Thompson Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 2 Missed	03:13
Team Rebound	03:13
Thompson Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 Missed	03:13
Team Rebound	03:13
Thompson Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Irving (1 AST)	03:05 [CLE 87-98]
	02:49 [BOS 101-87]	Terry 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Pierce (5 AST)
Irving Jump Shot: Missed Block: Rondo (1 BLK)	02:37
Team Rebound	02:36
Waiters 3pt Shot: Missed	02:29
	02:28	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)
	02:17	Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Waiters (1 ST)
Zeller Jump Shot: Missed	02:08
Team Rebound	02:07
Thompson Layup Shot: Missed	01:59
	01:58	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:45	Terry 3pt Shot: Missed
Thompson Rebound (Off:6 Def:6)	01:44
Irving 3pt Shot: Missed	01:37
	01:35	Terry Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	01:15	Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Irving (1 ST)
	01:13	Garnett Foul: Personal Take (2 PF)
	01:03	Garnett Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Thompson Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	01:03 [CLE 88-101]
	01:03	Rondo Substitution replaced by Lee
	01:03	Pierce Substitution replaced by Green
Thompson Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	01:03 [CLE 89-101]
	00:49.2 [BOS 103-89]	Terry Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Garnett (3 AST)
Gee Jump Shot: Missed	00:37.9
	00:36.9	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	00:19.9	Terry Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Irving (2 ST)
Waiters Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Irving (2 AST)	00:16.0 [CLE 91-103]
End of 4th Quarter