[remy23]

Game 69


Boston Celtics (29-40) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (39-29)

Friday, March 24, 2006
Time: 4:30pm PT, 7:30pm ET
TV: FSOhio, NBALP
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

HEAD COACHES


PROBABLE STARTERS



BOSTON CELTICS’ BENCH


CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ BENCH


BOSTON CELTICS’ NOTES

• West matches up well against Cleveland’s guards, so good passes and finishes at the rim are to be expected. Plus his athleticism, especially on the defensive end, gives the Cavalies problems. Delonte has had several impressive blocks and steals against Cleveland in the past.

• Paul Pierce needs to be his usual aggressive self and march to the foul line. Get Cleveland in foul trouble, having them panic in who to send to guard Pierce.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ NOTES

• LeBron James should be fine but the rest of the team needs to match the Celtics’ intensity. This game will probably have a playoff type atmosphere. The Cavaliers need to have a dominate opening quarter. The team can’t come out laid back as the Comeback Cavs. They need to be the Killer Cavs right away.

• It was good seeing Marshall and Jones spacing the floor by making their long distance shots. The Celtics may try to pack it in, so the bombers need to pick up where they left off.

OVERVIEW

This should be a good game because of the Pierce and James battle, plus the fact that Cleveland is getting ever closer to achieving their magic number. Cleveland is coming off a hard-fought win against the Bobcats. It was an overtime thriller that had LeBron nail his first game-winning shot. With the winning streak still going strong and the Celtics coming to town, it's games like this that show you what the team is made of.

 

[remy23]

Beacon Journal | 03/24/2006 | James, Pierce resume rivalry

James, Pierce resume rivalry
Cavaliers standout set to go head-to-head with star of Celtics 10th time

By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Over the last three years, much has been made of the story line, “LeBron James vs. (opposing star's name here).''

Whether it's Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant, when they're playing James and the Cavaliers, it's usually televised nationally and much-hyped.

But the schedule-makers and TV decision-makers seemingly haven't noticed James' most fierce and entertaining individual rivalry: the one against Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics.

Tonight marks the 10th regular-season matchup between James and Pierce over the last three years, as the Celtics visit Quicken Loans Arena. Their history and rivalry goes beyond those games, however. In fact, including the four preseason games the Cavs have played with the Celtics over the last two years, James has faced Pierce more than any other contemporary star.

The last time the two hooked up, the result was one of the best Cavs games for viewing this season.

James put up 43 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a double-overtime victory. Pierce scored a career-high 50 points and might have forced a third overtime -- or led his team to victory -- had he not drawn his sixth foul.

The next day, both flew to Houston to take part in the All-Star Game.

“We didn't script it, it just kind of ended up that way. I look at it like it was a classic,'' Pierce said. “You had two all-stars going toe to toe, and I think it was fun just being a part of it.''

It was just the latest in a series of intense matchups. The start goes back to James' rookie season, when he scored 37 points and Pierce bested him with 41 in a Celtics victory.

Over the last two seasons, the Cavs have played three games with the Celtics that have come down to the final seconds, two of which have gone to overtime.

Since James came into the league, the Cavs are 5-4 vs. Pierce and Boston. Pierce has averaged 30 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists in those games. James has averaged 28.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. The two have guarded each other a majority of the time, which hasn't always been the case with high-profile opponents such as Bryant, Wade and Anthony.

“I always like going up against him,'' James said. “We're both similar players and we play the same position, so we usually guard each other. It's always a lot of fun.''

They were guarding each other before last season during a preseason game in Columbus at Value City Arena when things got heated. James and Pierce were aggressively going after each other on the offensive and defensive ends. It boiled over after James got a steal and dunk.

Being chirped at from the Cavs' bench, Pierce spit at the reserves. He later was fined.

Following the game, Pierce and James got into a fiery exchange in the hallway between the locker rooms with then-coach Paul Silas having to break things up and Pierce having to be carried away by teammates.

The two later made up at the All-Star Game in Denver, but they still make sure they bring their best game to face each other.

“He's a top scorer and I'm a top scorer and we kind of offset each other,'' Pierce said. “He's a very nice guy. He's having an MVP-type year guiding his team to the playoffs.''

 

[remy23]

Damon Jones is shooting 9-of-18 (50 percent) from beyond the arc in his last three games.

CAVALIERS
Over the hump of the shooting slump

Friday, March 24, 2006

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

Damon Jones refused to consider the missed wide-open jumpers as a sign that he and his teammates were in a shooting slump. Jones knew that it was only a matter of time before the 3-pointers would begin to fall again.

That time has finally arrived.

"People have said that Damon isn't shooting well and why am I still playing him," coach Mike Brown said. "I'm still playing him because I've seen Damon [shoot well] over the years. He's done it against us where ever I've coached. He's a capable 3-point shooter and that's why we brought him here. Not only him, other guys have stepped up and knocked down the shot."

Jones, Donyell Marshall and Flip Murray have picked up the out side shoot ing pace in recent games. This is the same Jones and Marshall who were so deep in a slump that they were shooting air balls and even second guessing themselves. Murray was shooting 20 percent from the 3-point arc this season when he arrived in Cleveland from Seattle. Outside shooting wasn't part of his game plan.

But all three players have made major contributions in recent games. Especially Jones, who is shooting 9-of-18 (50 percent) from beyond the arc in his last three games.

Jones was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc against Charlotte on Wednesday.

"I haven't noticed any [improvement] in my shooting," Jones said. "I'm just trying to get them up. I'm just trying to contribute in any way I can. Playoff time is coming and I've been there before, so I know what it's like. I also know we all have to step up and get better any way we can with only 14 games left."

Marshall, who is 2-for-4 from beyond the arc in his last two games, has also been to the playoffs but his shot has been off until he made some recent adjustments.

"I'm taking less 3s and trying to get to the basket more," Marshall said. "Since I've been driving more, the defense now looks at me and wonders what I'm going to do. That's opening the floor for us and that could translate to more wins because that's going to keep people on their toes. Before, Damon and I were standing out there and shooting 3s, now the defense doesn't know if we're going to take the shot or pump fake and go past them."

Murray has made a living going past defenders with easy scores to the basket but has found a major addition to his game. Murray, a career 26.3 percent 3-point shooter, is knocking them down since he's been with the Cavs. Not only has Murray been an improved 3-pointer shooter but he's hitting 3-pointers with the game on the line. There was the 3-pointer in the final seconds to beat the Chicago Bulls earlier this month and the 3-pointer that sent Wednesday's game into overtime.

"I remember when Flip first got here he was 0-for-8 from the 3-point line," Brown said. "I was looking at his stats and I told one of the [assistant] coaches to tell Flip to start driving the ball more. I had this conversation the morning of shootaround of the Chicago game when he shot that [game-winning] three. After the game, I told the coaches not to say anything to Flip. Leave Flip alone."

Murray, who was 3-for-4 from 3-point range against Charlotte, said he has developed the outside touch since joining the Cavs.

"For me, it was always about going to the basket," Murray said. "Now if I have the open shot I'm going to take it. I've been constantly working with the coaches on my shot. They've taught me to use the same form every time and make sure I get the ball up high to give it a chance to go in. So far things have been working out."

Indeed.

Hughes' return near:

Larry Hughes' return to action is near. He could return within two weeks. Hughes had a second surgery to repair a right middle finger last month.

He's no longer in a cast and he's no longer wearing a brace. Hughes has started taking short jumpers and ball-handling drills.

"I'm feeling good right now," Hughes said. "Everything is feeling good. As soon as I get cleared I'll be ready to go."

Hughes has been out of action since the end of December. He's more than ready to play.

"It's been tough sitting and waiting," Hughes said. "I haven't done anything with my right hand for three months and that's kind of unbelievable as much basketball as I've played. I'm tired of watching."

Before the injury, Hughes was averaging 16.2 points per game.

Short jumpers:

The Cavs dished out a season-high 31 assists against the Bobcats on Wednesday. . . . The Cavs are 7-1 when dishing out 25 or more assists in a game. . . . Zydrunas Ilgauskas has scored in double figures in 22 of his past 23 games and is averaging 17.1 points on 51.9 percent shooting during that span.

 

[remy23]

Yahoo! | NBA | Boston Celtics/Cleveland Cavaliers Preview (click on picture)

 

[remy23]

We have a tie game at halftime (38-38). Cleveland outscored Boston 22-17 in the second quarter (+5).

 

[remy23]

^ Yeah. It's been a rocky game. Especially the beginning (it took forever just to score).

 

[remy23]

We trail by 1 heading into the last quarter. This is going to be a close call either way.

 

[remy23]

Big play by James doing the kick and pitch to Marshall.

 

[remy23]

Marshall with another big 3-ball. Is Marshall coming back into form for a playoff run? I hope so.

 

[remy23]

Box Score

Cleveland 94, Boston 82

 

[remy23]

The way LeBron ended the game (lay up, big steal on Pierce and the 3-ball on the trip down after stealing the ball) was BIG TIME STUFF! Props to the King.

 

[remy23]

Beacon Journal | 03/25/2006 | Victory march ends homestand

Victory march ends homestand
Outstanding play in fourth quarter sends Cavaliers to win over Celtics. James leads way with 36 points

By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - LeBron James' fourth-quarter prowess is flourishing by the game. Per the master plan, his Cavalier teammates are doing the same.

There was no one dramatic moment Friday night, as there has been recently, just a 12-minute final march led by James that resulted in a 94-82 Cavs win over the Boston Celtics. It completed a 4-0 homestand, restored the Cavs (40-29) to their high-water mark of the season at 11 games over .500 and reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to three.

That final spread belies how tight the game was. Boston led by as many as nine points in the second half, but it does indicate just how strongly the Cavs finished. James scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, the most points he's scored in a quarter this season, as the Cavs dusted the Celtics (29-41) 36-23 down the stretch.

He did it by making six of his eight shot attempts and all five free throws in the fourth. It was the third consecutive game the Cavs put it together in the final minutes to find victory, and James' fingerprints are all over them.

In case you'd forgotten, in the victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday, James had 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including the game-winning basket.

Equally as important to the outcome Friday was James' defense on Celtics star Paul Pierce in the final quarter. Defending him for most of the fourth, James held Pierce to 0-of-6 shooting and just four points. Pierce finished with 24 points but was just 6-of-20 from the field.

"I tried to be physical with him,'' James said. "I did a great job of moving my feet and I got my hand on a few balls as he was going up.''

James' hands were everywhere on defense. He had three blocks and two steals on the night, but he also had three of his eight assists in the fourth quarter and four of his seven rebounds.

Two of those assists went to Donyell Marshall, who has been following James' lead in picking up his game in crunch time.

Enduring the worst shooting season of his career, Marshall made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter for nine of his 14 points. Over the last three games, he's made six of his 10 3-point tries and 12-of-19 overall.

After his biggest make, a rainbow 3 with 1:17 left that put the Cavs up by nine points, Damon Jones leapt into his arms. Jones, who didn't score but had three steals, and Marshall have become a support system for each other.

"We haven't shot the ball that well this year and a lot of people have been down on us,'' Marshall said. "We're not happy with the way we've played this season, either.''

But there were all smiles this night as the Cavs won their sixth consecutive home game. After missing their first 11 shots, the Cavs shot 51 percent the rest of the way. They also held the Celtics to 37 percent shooting.

Surely beating the Celtics, like the Bobcats, isn't reason for a gala celebration. But the way they've performed in the clutch of late has confidence rising.

"These games are important no matter who we play and we've been closing them out,'' Marshall said. "You've got to learn to win all those games and we're starting to do that.''

 

[remy23]

The Plain Dealer

LeBron James scored a game-high 36 points against the Celtics

Marshall ignites Cavaliers

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Branson Wright
Plain Dealer Reporter

Donyell Marshall heard the jeers and the critics after each missed basket as his once deadly outside shot started to fail him.

Marshall, who hit 12 3-pointers in a game last season, begged to do half as much.

"I came here to shoot the 3 and I wasn't shooting the ball well," Marshall said. "You read about not shooting well and sometimes you get down. When you have a game like this, it helps your confidence, and at this point of the season we need as much of that as we can."

Marshall nailed three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help hold off the Boston Celtics, and the Cavaliers finished with a 94-82 victory on Friday night at The Q.

Marshall finished with 14 points and four 3-pointers. They were the most points he's scored since he had 19 against Washington on Feb. 24 and the most 3-pointers he's had since getting four on Jan. 24 against the Atlanta Hawks.

"Any time [Marshall's] open, we have confidence in getting him the ball to take the shot," said LeBron James, who finished with 36 points and eight assists. "He caught fire [Friday night] and that was great to see."

The Cavs recovered from a sluggish first quarter where they missed their first 11 shots, which included several blown layups. The Cavs trailed by one at the end of the third but the Cavs produced 36 points in the fourth quarter to help pull out the victory.

The Cavs (40-29) have won four straight and their magic number to solidify their first playoff berth in eight years is down to three. Making the playoffs is almost guaranteed but advancing beyond the first round is another matter. Continued improvement in their outside shooting would enhance the Cavs' chances.

"When Donyell and Damon [Jones] are shooting the way they're shooting now makes us a whole lot better," said Cavs coach Mike Brown. "It spreads the floor and that gives LeBron James driving lanes and that gives Flip Murray driving lanes and it allows [Zydrunas Ilgauskas] to post up and play one-on-one basketball. . . . I know [Marshall and Jones] will come through and they have."

The Cavs trailed by one at the end of the third but generated a rally and led by three with 4:11 left. Marshall nailed a 3-pointer at the top of the key for a six-point lead with 3:37 left. The Cavs still led by three with two minutes left but Marshall got free in the corner and splashed his final 3-pointer for an 88-79 lead with 1:17 left. Marshall was so elated with the basket that he and Jones bumped chests and hugged at midcourt.

"I was just so happy for him because there's been constant criticism on how Donyell and even myself have shot this year," Jones said. "But every game down the stretch is important as we get ready for the playoffs. It's imperative that we have good ball movement and have guys step up. [Friday night] Donyell stepped up and that's a good thing."

It was even better that the Cavs were impressive while closing out the game. James scored on a layup and he followed that with a steal and 3-pointer with 17 seconds left.

CAVALIERS
Defense pays off big time

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Burt Graeff
Plain Dealer Reporter

The defensive preachings of Cavaliers coach Mike Brown have run hot and cold throughout the season.

They ran hot in Friday night's 94-82 victory over the Boston Celtics at The Q.

Covering for each other and rotating as well as they have in weeks, the Cavaliers held the Celtics to 37.2 percent (29-of-78) shooting from the field.

It was the third lowest an opposing team shot in 69 games, topped only by the Pistons shooting 35.8 percent in December and Memphis shooting 36 percent in November.

"[The Cavaliers] played really good defense tonight," said Celtics All-Star forward Paul Pierce, who was 6-of-20 from the field for 24 points. Defended by Eric Snow early and LeBron James late, Pierce missed 9 of 11 field-goal attempts in 21 minutes of the second half.

"I do think I got quality looks," said Pierce, "but I just did not hit them."

The Celtics averaged 103 points in the first two games of this series, both losses.

"I think [the Cavaliers] are a much better defensive team now than when we played them earlier in the season," said Boston reserve Brian Scalabrine, who scored four points in 16 minutes.

"They are making you do some things you don't want to do."

The Celtics (29-41) took a 59-58 lead into the fourth quarter, but were outscored, 36-23, to lose for the fifth time in six games on the road.

The Cavaliers (40-29) shot 63 percent (12-of-19) from the field in the fourth - including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Nineteen of James' game-high 36 points were scored in the fourth.

"LeBron was great; he was phenomenal," said Boston coach Doc Rivers, "but I would not just focus on him.

"As good as he was, [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas and [Donyell] Marshall hit some big baskets for them."

Ilgauskas scored seven of his 11 points in the second half; Marshall had nine of his 14 points in the fourth, when he hit 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

Two free throws by Wally Szczerbiak with 1:33 left in the fourth cut the Cavaliers' lead to 85-79, but a Marshall made 3-pointer, parlayed with a Pierce missed 3-pointer that put it out of reach.