What to Watch For - Cavs v. Celtics
Posted April 12th, 2009 by Michael Curry
What to keep an eye on this afternoon when the Celtics invade the Q:
- I have no idea why the national media isn’t making more of this game, as it is the last chance for this current Celtics team to preserve the all-time home wins record set by the 85-86 Celtics. While the home wins record isn’t as sexy as the season wins record, and it’s not a guarantee of a Championship (though the Celtics did win in ‘86), it’s still an impressive feat that has only been accomplished by one other team in NBA history. Why doesn’t that legendary “Celtic Pride” include defending the record of one of the all-time great Celtics teams?
- If the Cavs once again walk all over the Celtics, they will be the prohibitive favorite in the East. If the Celtics win, they will have a solid psychological edge if the two teams meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Paul Pierce has been the key in the three Cavs-Celtics matchups this season. In the two Celtics wins, Pierce has scored 27 and 29 points. But in the Cavalier victory in January the defense held Pierce to just 11 points.
- I also think the Delonte West-Ray Allen matchup will be important today. West doesn’t have to match Allen point for point, but if he can generally keep the Cavs even at the shooting guard position, that would be a major plus. Allen remains a very dangerous scorer, but he can disappear from time to time.
- In the last matchup between these two teams, the Celtics won by dominating the points in the paint and generally outmuscling the Cavaliers inside. Ben Wallace will be charged with restoring a little order inside off the bench, and it will be interesting to see how effective he can be as he continues to test that healed injury.
Should be interesting…
