Game Preview: Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena
Teams: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Day: Tuesday
Date: November 30, 2010
Status of Teams: Celtics (12-4) vs. Cavaliers (7-9)
The Boston Celtics will shoot for their fourth consecutive win when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, at Quicken Loans Arena.
About the Boston Celtics
The Celtics are in a strong position as they enter the contest on a three-game winning streak. They are scoring just over 100 points per game, and allowing 93.5 per game. Boston ranks first in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in assists, averaging 26.3 per game. They lead the league in field goal percentage, with 50.4 percent, however, they are worst in the league in boards with 38.6 RPG (Rebounds Per Game).Boston is coming off a win over the Raptors, at TD Garden, 110-101. Despite squandering much of their 14-point lead in the first-half, Boston returned to the floor after half-time with authority, outscoring Toronto 11-2 in the opening 2:22 of the third quarter. The strong effort out of the locker room, enabled the Celtics to rebuild their double-digit advantage. Kevin Garnett led five in double figures, with 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Player to be watched
The point guard for Boston; Rajon Rondo is dishing out 14.2 assists per game. He posted 14 assists in the previous game in his return to the starting line-up.
"Rondo really set the tone with the penetration and inside play. I liked the way we started the game, but we have to do a better job finishing the game." - Paul Pierce
About the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 7-9 this season, and maintains third position in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. Cleveland as a team is scoring 95.1 points per game, which is the fourth worst in all of the NBA. The Cavaliers have won four games this season. They are also coming off a win; beating Memphis 92-86 at Quicken Loans Arena.
Mo Williams finally seems healthy, happy and playing like the leader Cleveland needs. Williams finished with game-highs of 25 points and 12 assists. Backup center Ryan Hollins came off the bench to score eight points (on 4-for-5 shooting) and grab five rebounds in 17 crucial minutes. J.J Hikson also contributed 16 points grasped by 5 rebounds. Cavaliers coach, Byron Scott said,
"Hickson's energy and defensive effort on Randolph was fantastic. I told him when I took him out. That’s the energy I want to see."
Cavaliers Player to Watch
Cleveland is led in scoring by, point guard, Mo Williams. Williams is scoring 16.2 points per game and dishing out 5.4 assists. He is averaging 19.4 points on 49.4 percent shooting, in his last five games and averaged 6.3 points on 25.8 percent shooting in his previous three. Byron Scott said,
“He is playing extremely well. He is trying to play the right way and make the right decisions.”
Numbers
The Celtics are shooting 47.3 percent from the field, which is much enhanced than the Cavaliers, who are predicted to shoot 42.2 percent. The rebounding battle is quite flat, with the Celtics forecasted for 40.6 rebounds as compared to 40.9 for the Cavaliers. The list goes on and it seems that the Celtics might have on edge over their opponents.
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