Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers went a dismal 7-34 on the road. Aside from an early season win at Philadelphia and a late season win at New York, the Cavs struggled immensely on the road. At home, their 12-29 record included some clear signature wins, including the season opener against the Celtics, the losing streak ending overtime thriller against the Clippers, and a pair of 'vengeance' wins versus the Lakers and the Heat.
Entering Sunday's game at Boston, the Cavs were 4-7 on the road this season. Wins at Minnesota and Phoenix and close games at Indiana and Miami already showed that the team was much better prepared for road games this year, but the team still needed a signature road win under Byron Scott. Tonight, the Cavs finally won such a game.
In franchise history, the Cavaliers have always struggled to beat the Boston Celtics. Entering tonight, the team had a 68-113 record all-time against the Celtics, including losing four out of five playoff series. The last playoff loss signaled the end of an era for the Cavs, who fell into a downward spiral during the middle of last season. In general, Boston/New England sports have cast a shadow over the more humble Cleveland sports, especially over the past decade. As such, a win at Boston is always something special.
The Celtics entered Sunday's game on a four game winning streak. This included a defensive gem versus the Orlando Magic in which the Magic scored the fewest points in their franchise history (beating a performance by the Cavaliers defense in December 1996); a comeback from 27 points down to beat the Magic again; and a solid win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Celtics have found ways to win without star point guard Rajon Rondo. Tonight, Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal were both out. While the Celtics were not at full strength, there are always injuries in the NBA. The best teams win no matter what the circumstances--such as the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championship last season despite the midseason loss of starting swingman Caron Butler.
In the Cavaliers' case, they also had injuries to handle. With Daniel Gibson out, Tristan Thompson trying to find a rhythm in his second game back from an ankle injury, and Anthony Parker battling ongoing back pains, the Cavaliers were trailing for a large part of the game. In fact, they were down 11 points midway through the 4th quarter. Yet, the Cavs managed to regain composure.
While Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee covered some of Parker's minutes, rookie Mychel Thompson--son of coach Scott's former Lakers teammate Mychal Thompson--stepped up as Parker's replacement down the stretch. Thompson made a couple jump shots off Ramon Sessions' assists and helped hold Ray Allen to four points in the 4th quarter.
Gee and Anderson Varejao both stole the spotlight on offense during the 4th quarter. On one play, Gee drove and had a sensational up-and-under baseline dunk. On another play, Varejao pretended to call a play with M. Thompson and then quickly drove for a score on two Celtics defenders.
Meanwhile, Varejao and Antawn Jamison put on a defensive clinic down the stretch as the Cavs closed the game out on a 12-0 run. Kevin Garnett--who had averaged 18.8 points per game versus Cleveland in the 2010 playoffs--was held scoreless in the 4th quarter with two traveling violations. Brandon Bass also turned the ball over after a defensive rebound, leading to a Cleveland timeout to set up the game-winning play.
In the end, people will remember Kyrie Irving's drive and spin move for the game-winning basket. What should also be remembered is what Varejao and Jamison did to help set up the game winner. As the Cavs set up a possible 1-4 isolation set for Irving, Jamison and Varejao crossed each other on the baseline, with Varejao curling to the top of the key to run a pick and roll with Irving. With the extra movement, Kevin Garnett abandoned the paint, leaving Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass to cover Irving. Had Garnett--a regular on the NBA's annual All-Defensive Team--remained in the post on the play, he likely would have altered or blocked Irving's shot to clinch the win for Boston.
One win later, the Cavaliers are still only 8-11 and remain underdogs to make the playoffs this year. Surely, more challenges are ahead. Arguably, this is the current Celtics' Big Three's last hurrah. Yet, in the current NBA, a team that can beat the Celtics can beat anyone. This win in Boston--the first signature road win of the Byron Scott Cavs era--is definitely special. In a couple years, such a road win could be the norm for Cleveland.
Entering Sunday's game at Boston, the Cavs were 4-7 on the road this season. Wins at Minnesota and Phoenix and close games at Indiana and Miami already showed that the team was much better prepared for road games this year, but the team still needed a signature road win under Byron Scott. Tonight, the Cavs finally won such a game.
In franchise history, the Cavaliers have always struggled to beat the Boston Celtics. Entering tonight, the team had a 68-113 record all-time against the Celtics, including losing four out of five playoff series. The last playoff loss signaled the end of an era for the Cavs, who fell into a downward spiral during the middle of last season. In general, Boston/New England sports have cast a shadow over the more humble Cleveland sports, especially over the past decade. As such, a win at Boston is always something special.
The Celtics entered Sunday's game on a four game winning streak. This included a defensive gem versus the Orlando Magic in which the Magic scored the fewest points in their franchise history (beating a performance by the Cavaliers defense in December 1996); a comeback from 27 points down to beat the Magic again; and a solid win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Celtics have found ways to win without star point guard Rajon Rondo. Tonight, Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal were both out. While the Celtics were not at full strength, there are always injuries in the NBA. The best teams win no matter what the circumstances--such as the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championship last season despite the midseason loss of starting swingman Caron Butler.
In the Cavaliers' case, they also had injuries to handle. With Daniel Gibson out, Tristan Thompson trying to find a rhythm in his second game back from an ankle injury, and Anthony Parker battling ongoing back pains, the Cavaliers were trailing for a large part of the game. In fact, they were down 11 points midway through the 4th quarter. Yet, the Cavs managed to regain composure.
While Omri Casspi and Alonzo Gee covered some of Parker's minutes, rookie Mychel Thompson--son of coach Scott's former Lakers teammate Mychal Thompson--stepped up as Parker's replacement down the stretch. Thompson made a couple jump shots off Ramon Sessions' assists and helped hold Ray Allen to four points in the 4th quarter.
Gee and Anderson Varejao both stole the spotlight on offense during the 4th quarter. On one play, Gee drove and had a sensational up-and-under baseline dunk. On another play, Varejao pretended to call a play with M. Thompson and then quickly drove for a score on two Celtics defenders.
Meanwhile, Varejao and Antawn Jamison put on a defensive clinic down the stretch as the Cavs closed the game out on a 12-0 run. Kevin Garnett--who had averaged 18.8 points per game versus Cleveland in the 2010 playoffs--was held scoreless in the 4th quarter with two traveling violations. Brandon Bass also turned the ball over after a defensive rebound, leading to a Cleveland timeout to set up the game-winning play.
In the end, people will remember Kyrie Irving's drive and spin move for the game-winning basket. What should also be remembered is what Varejao and Jamison did to help set up the game winner. As the Cavs set up a possible 1-4 isolation set for Irving, Jamison and Varejao crossed each other on the baseline, with Varejao curling to the top of the key to run a pick and roll with Irving. With the extra movement, Kevin Garnett abandoned the paint, leaving Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass to cover Irving. Had Garnett--a regular on the NBA's annual All-Defensive Team--remained in the post on the play, he likely would have altered or blocked Irving's shot to clinch the win for Boston.
One win later, the Cavaliers are still only 8-11 and remain underdogs to make the playoffs this year. Surely, more challenges are ahead. Arguably, this is the current Celtics' Big Three's last hurrah. Yet, in the current NBA, a team that can beat the Celtics can beat anyone. This win in Boston--the first signature road win of the Byron Scott Cavs era--is definitely special. In a couple years, such a road win could be the norm for Cleveland.