Celtics and Cavaliers: Who is better?

On Friday (6th March 2009), the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers would clash against each other at 08:00 pm ET, ESPN. This game would determine the host of the Game 7 in the postseason. Both the teams have 48 wins against their name and Cavaliers have 2 lesser defeats. The season series between these teams has been tied at 1-1. A triumph on Friday would lead to an advantageous position for the East’s best record. >

The Cavaliers are good at charging and Boston’s task of defending themselves has become more challenging as Kevin Garnett has not been active in the past 6 games and would not be able to play for one more week due to a strain in his right knee. In the current season, the Celtics have found the going difficult against big names like the Lakers and the Cavaliers. On 24th February 2009, the Celtics signed Mikki Moore (the forward/center) but feel the absence of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

The Numbers

In the absence of Garnett, the Celtics have recorded 4-2 in the previous 6 games and are 7-2 overall in the current season. The Cavaliers have won 9 out of the previous 10 games. The Cleveland Cavaliers is ranked first in the Eastern Conference and has a record of 48-12. It has 89 posessions per game, 112.1 points scored per 100 possessions and 101.3 points allowed per 100 posessions. The Boston Celtics is second in the Eastern Conference and has a record of 48-14. This team has 90.8 possessions per game, 111.1 points scored per 100 possessions and 101.2 points allowed per 100 possessions. On 28th October 2008, Celtics defeated Cavaliers by a score of 90-85. On 9th January 2009, Cleveland defeated Boston by 98-83.

Absence of Garnett

When Kevin Garnett is not playing, the Celtics depends on its offense to win games. In his absence, the Celtics have on an average 6.6 more points per game but they give away on an average 7.7 more points per game. Paul Pierce, the captain of the Celtics, remarked that his team has to determine alternate ways to play in the absence of the Defensive Player of the Year. He added that at the moment, the Cavaliers are playing excellently and are on the top of the Eastern Conference. Attempting to contain LeBron James is in itself a work. Additionally, Mo Williams is an All-Star and is playing a standard game. In order to match these players, the Celtics have to display their A level game.

Help for LeBron

LeBron James collected 38 points in the previous game against the Celtics. He is quite capable of repeating this feat. The point to note is that he is getting tremendous assistance from his teammates. When his team played in Miami on 2nd March 2009, Mo Williams has statistics of 30 points, 7 assists and 7 boards. He has attained a 2nd rank within the team behind James for assists and scoring. Delonte West has offered a boost to the Cavaliers defense. In his previous 4 games, he has recorded 18 steals.