Celtics Turn Their Attention to LeBron's Old Team
at 
Boston Celtics (1-0) at Cleveland Cavaliers (0-0)
Wednesday, October 27
7:00 PM ET
Game #2, Away Game #1
TV: CSNNE, FSO, LP 751/752
Radio: WTAM, WEEI
Quicken Loans Arena
Referees: Bob Delaney, Michael Smith, Haywoode Workman
Cleveland is opening their season vs the Celtics for the third consecutive year and second year in a row at home. Last Season: Celtics split series 2‐2…The Celtics were lead by Paul Pierce and his 22.5 points and 57.7% shooting from beyond the arc while Kevin Garnett added 15.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.25 blocks per game…Rajon Rondo averaged a double‐double with 14.8 points and 10.3 assists per game…The Cavaliers were led by LeBron James and his 36.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game while Mo Williams added 15.5 points and shot 54.5% from beyond the arc.
When last these two teams met, the Celtics were eliminating the Cavs from the playoffs. But that was a much different Cavs team than we will see in this game. That team was built around LeBron James and expected him to carry the team. This current team will have to depend on teamwork in order to win. Byron Scott has said that he wants his team to run on every possession this season, especially against the aging Celtics.
This is the Cavs home opener, so they will likely come out ready to prove to their fans that they can win without LeBron. The Celtics on the other hand will be playing in the second of back to back games after an emotional win in their home opener against the Miami Heat. The Celtics will need to depend on their bench to give the starters a break in their second game in as many nights.
The center in the starting lineup is especially up in the air. It remains to be seen whether Doc will start Shaq in back to back games. But he played just 18 minutes against the Heat and so he may once again get the start. One question that won't be answered until closer to game time is whether Pierce's back will tighten up after the hard hit (read offensive foul) that he took from LeBron in the Heat game. For the Cavs, Mo Williams is listed as the starting PG, but is questionable for tonight since he missed a lot of time due to a death in the family.
Probable Starters
PG
SG
SF
PF
C
Rajon Rondo.......Ray Allen.......Paul Pierce.......Kevin Garnett...... Shaquille O'Neal
Boston Bench Mob
Marquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Jermaine O'Neal
Delonte West (Suspended)
Injured
Kendrick Perkins (knee) out
Avery Bradley (ankle) out
Semih Erden (shoulder) questionable
Probable Starters
PG
SG
SF
PF
C
Mo Williams.....Anthony Parker.....Jamario Moon.....JJ Hickson..... Anderson Varejao
Cavaliers Bench
Daniel Gibson
Ryan Hollins
Antawn Jamison
Manny Harris
Jawad Williams
Christian Eyenga
Joey Graham
Leon Powe
Samardo Samuels
Ramon Sessions
Injuries
Daniel Gibson (neck) probable
Joey Graham (quad) probable
Mo Williams (death in the family) questionable
X-Factor - Let Down
The Celtics played a very big game last night and it would be easy to let down and take the Cavs for granted. But the Cavs are going to be very motivated and they have a lot to prove this season to the King with No Rings. So the Celtics need to come out strong and not take this team for granted.
