Nov 14 vs Celtics

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Wrap-Up – The Cavaliers don’t want to win ‘em all like this, but it’s nice to know that they can. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.

The Wine and Gold spotted Boston 17 points heading into the fourth quarter, but Kyrie Irving got hot, the defense clicked and the Cavaliers rallied for their third straight win, topping the Celtics in a 122-121 thriller in Beantown.

”Mr. Fourth Quarter” earned his nickname on Friday night, netting 15 of his 27 points (and all three of his three three-pointers) in the final quarter – going 8-for-16 from the floor, adding five assists, four boards and three steals.

LeBron James did his thing in all four quarters, and he led everyone with 41 points – his fifth career 40-plus point game in Boston – adding four boards and a team-high seven assists. But like Irving, the four-time MVP saved his best for last, going 4-of-5 from the floor while combining with rookie Joe Harris and Shawn Marion in locking up Rajon Rondo down the stretch.

The Cavaliers – averaging nearly 117 points per contest during their three-game win streak – featured five players in double figures, including James, Irving and Kevin Love, who doubled-up for the fourth time this year with 12 points and a game-high 15 boards.

Anderson Varejao finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting and Dion Waiters pitched in with 10 points one week after injuring his back in a nasty mid-air collision against Denver. Rookie Joe Harris added six points – three of which came on a big fourth-quarter trey to get the Cavaliers within one possession.

Both teams shot the ball well on the night – Boston at 55 percent, the Cavs at 51 percent. The Celtics took 23 free throws on the night – or seven less than James, Irving and Love combined.

Turning Point – The Celtics shot a blistering 73 percent from the floor in the third quarter and opened their lead to 19 points early in the fourth. But Kyrie absolutely caught fire to start the period – drilling three bombs in just under two minutes of play and capping his personal rally with three free throw makes after being fouled by Avery Bradley.

Two possessions later, Joe Harris replicated the feat, drilling three straight free throws to cap an 18-6 run that got the Cavaliers within striking distance down the stretch.

By the Numbers – 6:25/1 … Kyrie Irving’s assist-to-turnover ratio over the past five games. He’s committed just one turnover per game in the first four games of that span and didn’t commit a single miscue in 40 minutes of play on Friday night.

Quotable – Coach David Blatt, on the fourth-quarter performances of LeBron James and Kyrie Irivng  …

”Those are two players of the highest order and the highest level and it’s banal to say that’s what they’re supposed to do, but that’s what they’re supposed to do and that’s what they do.”

Up Next – The Cavaliers settle in for some home cooking for almost the entire remainder of the month – playing just a single road game (next Friday in Washington) away from the cozy confines of The Q. On Saturday night, they welcome the red-hot Hawks to Cleveland, fresh off a Friday night win over Miami. On Monday night, it’s a rematch with the Nuggets at The Q, followed by a big Wednesday night meeting against Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the World Champion Spurs.

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Big Fourth Quarter Caps Cavs Comeback

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(Take on tonight’s game): “I think we need more than a three minute interview to talk about my take on it, but that’s quite a homecoming.”

“I thought Boston played great basketball for three quarters and I think in general Brad Stevens is doing a fantastic job with the young Celtics, they’re only going to get better.”

“We waited a long time to get it in gear defensively, I believe we did in the fourth quarter. We made a few adjustments that you probably saw and that allowed us to pick up our defensive intensity, get stops and continue to score the ball the way we scored it throughout the game.”

(Playmaking of Kyrie and Lebron in the fourth quarter): “Those are two players of the highest order and the highest level and it’s banal to say that’s what they’re supposed to do, but that’s what they’re supposed to do and that’s what they do.”

(Giving up 42 in the fourth quarter): “This team defensively is playing in spurts and not playing consistently on that end of the floor. When we do (play consistently on defense) we’ll have a chance to be very, very good and until we do we’re going to have to win games like this.”

“We gave up a forty point quarter and that’s unacceptable if we want to continue to grow, but we showed growth in the fourth quarter and that’s huge for our team being a young team. To be able to go through the adversity that we went through tonight against a team that’s one of the best offensive teams in the league- they put up thirty plus assists on us- but we just kept fighting, we kept getting stops, we kept executing offensively, and we walk out of here with a win.”

(Did being switched to Rondo change things): “I would like to think so. I’m able to use my length and not allow him to get into the paint as much and try to contest his shots.”

(Importance of Kyrie in the fourth quarter): “He’s a special guy, a special talent, he can do it at any time and that was key.”

“I kind of used this analogy earlier this morning, right now I feel like the young guys are like my kids. They’re not accustomed to reading text books, they like iPads, and you have to show them what’s better for them and that’s the process that we’re in right now.”

(Leaving with a win): “It feels great. We were down a big deficit in the fourth quarter, some guys stepped up, we took a little bit too much time to get going on the defensive end, but things happen like that sometimes, we have another chance to get better tomorrow, but we’re happy with this win especially getting out here in a tough environment.”

(On Joe Harris): “He just stays ready. He’s a guy that even in his rookie year seems to be a constant professional and a guy that just tries to absorb everything that he possibly can. He played great for us tonight, hit big shots and made big plays on both ends of the floor and we’re happy with the way he played tonight.”

(Design of last play): “Well we had a couple of different options.  We had Jeff (Green) over the top, which I’d have to look at the film to see if he had LeBron (James) sealed for a lob. Obviously it’s a little bit riskier of a pass, but we had just thrown it to Jared (Sullinger) and then we just had a simple swing to (Rajon) Rondo and our desire was to reject the screen. And he had a good match-up, but Joe Harris did a nice job on him, and we didn’t get a shot off.”

(Use of time-outs at the end): “Our guys, to their credit, were just fighting for the ball. And so they called a time-out – and that’s what you want to do, if you don’t have forward momentum the other way, you want to do that.  But, you know, the time before we actually had a play drawn up if we would’ve gotten a stop, to try to get to the rim. Rondo was able to turn the corner and James did a nice job of staying with him, and we went a little early.  We were a little rushed.  We weren’t where we were supposed to be when it all started. And we’ve got to continue to get better in those moments, but I think there are a lot of possessions you can point to in this game, and that’s a tough one to lose.”

(Kyrie Irving’s three threes in the fourth): “Well the problem is, if you defend him differently you’re going to give up something else. So I think you try to chase him and challenge him as best as you can. We changed it up a little bit after that, but then you’re giving up more in the paint, more at the rim, and all that other stuff.  So I thought the first half our transition defense was not good enough and I thought we shored it up a little bit in the third quarter, start of the fourth. But the guys for them looked like guys when it mattered, right? Kyrie was awesome. LeBron was awesome. And obviously Kevin (Love) made some plays too. They’ve got really good players and those guys did a good job when it was all on the line and they were behind.”

(Giving up big leads): “I’m frustrated by it. I want to be better at it. I thought our energy and togetherness and sustainability was much better tonight. When things went south, we came back. They went up by three; we ended up tying the game. Jeff made a great hustle play to get the free throws. You know if you turned on the TV last night you saw it in at least two games, maybe three – and that happens. You’ve got to play all 48. You’ve got to be great all 48 against this team. And it’s not the same against everybody, but you still have to be on your A-game the whole time.”

(What he said to the team after the game): “One point not good enough.  It is what it is. There’s no moral victories, we can’t talk about learning. We’ve got to just get better. We’ve got to do it. And I think that that’s where we all are.  We can’t get frustrated with it, we can’t lose sight of the fact that we’re eight games in and not 70 games in, but the good news is there is a belief growing, but it’s got to be rounded out.”

(Last play): “I lost the ball. I lost the ball, I give them credit they played good defense. I lost the ball and I didn’t get the shot off in time.”

(What’s missing when you get big leads/not maintaining them): “Just to stay in our defensive intensity throughout the 48. I don’t think we get comfortable; when teams are desperate they are going to make shots, they are going to make plays and they got us on the hill and we weren’t able to get consecutive stops.”

(Controlling frustrations): “It’s a competitive sport; we’re human so obviously we are little frustrated, we’re very frustrated, but we got a lot more games to play.”

(Step forward for team against LeBron, Kyrie, etc): “We’ve been in every game this season, except for the Houston game I believe, we made a great run against Dallas but we go out every night and we play as hard as we possibly can. We’re just not coming up with the wins right now.”

(Playing against Kyrie/what able to do): “Nothing really, he wasn’t as aggressive as he usually was, as he was in the 4th and we knew he would get going at least attacking the rim and getting up a lot of 3-point attempts, which he did. We couldn’t adjust in time and make him make plays for his teammates like he was in the first half.”

(Maintain offensive execution thru whole game): “Its not difficult. I think for us when we get stops we’re good offensively. When we don’t come down, we get stagnant, our offense isn’t as fluid as what we would like it to be as far as we did in the first 3 quarters. We are a team with defensive stops and if we can get those then obviously we are more comfortable on the offensive end of the floor.”

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Game Quotes: Cavaliers at Boston Celtics  - Nov. 14

Listen to Radio Play-by-Play announcer John Michael's Call of the Game during the Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics game on November 14, 2014. The Cavaliers defense buckles down to get one last stop to cap off a dramatic come-from-behind victory on the road.

Escucha a la voz en español de los Cavaliers Rafa "El Alcalde" con la narración de la jugada del partido entre Los Cavaliers vs. Los Celtics de Boston en el TD Garden de Boston, Massachusetts  el 14 de Noviembre del 2014. Lebron James anoto 22 puntos en la primera mitad y 41 en total para guiar a la victoria a los Cavs 122 - 121. Con sus 22 puntos en la primera mitad James le paso a Robert Parish y se coloco en el número 24 en la lista de máximos anotadores en la historia de la NBA.

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Call of the Game: Cavs at Boston Celtics - Nov. 14

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Cavaliers at Boston Celtics - November 14, 2014

Cavs.com

Get live, in-game coverage and analysis of tonight's game as the Wine and Gold take on the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden.

Plus, get into the conversation and join the live chat below:

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Joe G's GameDay Blog and Chat - Nov. 14, 2014

The Wine &amp; Gold will square off with the Boston Celtics at TD Garden tonight for their 5th road game of the year. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Cavs and Celtics will play each other three more times in 2014-15 (3/3 at CLE, 4/10 at CLE &amp; 4/12 at BOS).

Cleveland (3-3) picked up its 2nd straight win on Monday, a 118-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at The Q. The Cavs posted season-highs in points (118), field goal percentage (.494), three-pointers made (13), three-point field goal percentage (.481), points in a half (67 in 2nd half) and assists (26). Kyrie Irving (27), LeBron James (22) and Kevin Love (12) combined for 61 of the 67 second half points.

Over the past two games, the Cavs are averaging 114.0 points (15.5 fast break pts), 25.5 assists and just 9.5 turnovers.

Boston (3-4) enters tonight's contest looking to bounce back from a 109-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their most recent matchup on Wednesday.

All five Celtic starters are averaging double figures in scoring led by Jeff Green's 18.9 points per game.

TV: FOX Sports OhioWhere to Watch | Programming Note

RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network

Discuss tonight's game with other die-hard Cavs fans. Discuss

Get everything you need to know about tonight's matchup. Game Notes

Probable Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic

Status Update: Matthew Dellavedova, (Left Knee MCL Sprain), Out), Dion Waiters, (Lower Back Contusion, TBD)

Celtics: PG - Rajon Rondo, SG - Avery Bradley, SF - Jeff Green PF - Jared Sullinger, C - Kelly Olynyk

Status Update: (Celtics) - Vitor Faverani, (Left Knee Surgery, Out), Marcus Smart, (Left Ankle Sprain, Out)

1. Get to the Point – Since he was drafted by Boston in 2006, Rajon Rondo has been the straw that stirs the drink – and this year he’s off to an historic start, almost averaging a triple-double and putting up numbers on pace with Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. He’s missed seven of the last ten matchups with the Cavaliers – including the last five – but he’s Boston’s head of the snake and stopping him goes a long way towards stopping the Celtics.

2. Kelly Green – As a rookie, Celtics center Kelly Olynyk gave the Cavs fits in his second contest against them. After tallying one point, seven boards, three turnovers and three fouls in his first game against Cleveland, the former Gonzaga big man dropped 25 points, 12 boards and three assists on the Wine and Gold in an April loss at The Q. This year, Olynyk is tied as the top scorer among second-year players, second in rebounding. Between Olynyk, Jared Sullinger and former Cavalier, Tyler Zeller, the Cavs frontcourt of Varejao, Thompson and Love will have its hands full.

3. Back to Boston – There are no fans in the NBA like Celtic fans, regardless of their record. So far this season, the Cavaliers have gotten plenty of love on the road, but they won’t get any in Boston. “Their fans know the game of basketball; they appreciate the game of basketball,” said LeBron following Thursday’s practice, before leaving for Beantown. “I love a little adversity and they’re one of the best at creating adversity. So it should be fun.” The Cavs have dropped three of their last four at the Garden – their last win coming in April 2013 on Tristan’s monster 29-point, 17-rebound performance. On Friday night, LeBron, Tristan and Co. would love to take the crowd out of it early and keep them quiet all night.

The Cavs trail the all-time series to the Celtics 71-120 (49-47 Home, 22-72 Road).

In the two teams last meeting this past April, Dion Waiters tallied a team-high tying 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Kyrie Irving also recorded 15 points, including 8-8 from the free throw line, and two assists in 31 minutes.

TV: FOX Sports Ohio, Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)

For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22 and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.

Programming Note: Tonight, FOX Sports Ohio is airing the Blue Jackets – Flyers game (7:00pm) and the Cavs – Celtics game (7:30pm). More Info | View Conflict Schedule

After tonight’s game, the Cavs return to Cleveland for a matchup with the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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GameDay Preview: Cavaliers at Boston Celtics

On Friday, November 14, 2014, FOX Sports Ohio is airing the Blue Jackets – Flyers game (7:00pm) and the Cavs – Celtics game (7:30pm). Please refer to these programming details. This information is also available online HERE.

Cavs at Boston Celtics
Cavaliers Live Pregame Show begins at 7:00pm | Tipoff at 7:30pm

Friday night’s Cavs game will replay on FOX Sports Ohio later that night at midnight.

Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown/Erie, Bowling Green, KY and Wheeling/Steubenville areas:

Columbus, Lima, Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville/Lexington and Charleston/Huntington areas:

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Programming Note: Cavs at Celtics - Nov. 14

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