GameDay Preview: Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
TD Garden at 7:30 PM ET
Brian Babineau/NBAE/GettyImages
Posted: Nov 14, 2014
Game Summary
The Wine & 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 & 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.
BROADCAST INFO
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
Where to Watch | Programming Note
RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network
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Get everything you need to know about tonight's matchup. Game Notes
Probable Starters/Status Update*
presented by Cleveland Clinic
Cavaliers: PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - Shawn Marion, SF - LeBron James
PF - Kevin Love, C - Anderson Varejao
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)
*Subject to change
Joe G's Three Keys
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.
Head-to-Head Matchup
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.
Where to Catch the Action
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
On Deck
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.