The lights dim as the fireworks and 20,562 crazy fans shake, and rattle the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. When lights come back up the big three Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen along with defending World Champion Boston Celtics (29-8) take the floor and prepare to do battle against his highness "King" Lebron James and the NBA first place Cleveland Cavaliers (28-6). POOF, CLAP, CLAP as Lebron claps his routine cloud of smoke in the air and... We are all witnesses.
In the early stages of what seemed to be a surprisingly dull game, was dominated by the exciting play of big men on both ends of the court. Not by whom you would expect though, KG for Boston or Big Z for Cleveland. It was the Cavs, Ben "The Body" Wallace and Anderson "Wild Thing" Varejao who combined to score 10 first quarter points, in the absence of Cleveland's All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. And the offense of Kendrick Perkins paced the Celts with 9 points. But as always, by the end of the first quarter, Lebron proved he is the king of his castle finishing with 9pts 4ast 1 block and 1 rebound as the Cavs pulled to an early 33 to 23 lead. The Cleveland Cavalier Head Coach, Mike Brown told BlackSportsOnline.com "Lebron made play, after play, after play, after play, and carried us... [early]."
The Cavs continued their assault on the Celts in the second quarter, The newly acquired Cavs point guard Mo Williams and the guards, set the tone for the Cavs as Cleveland's 2nd unit shook up the arena, with long range threes and short jumpers. The Celtics couldn't get off the snide offensively in the second quarter and Garnett and Leon Powe did what they could to keep the Celts close by the end of the first half. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo only combined for 11 total first half points. The Cavs led at the half 49 to 40.
After halftime, the Celtics led by Garnett stormed out the gates and cut the lead to three, seemingly stepping up to the challenge from Celtics Head Coach, Glenn "Doc" Rivers, but all that came to a screeching halt in a matter of minutes, as the King grabbed the reigns and took over.
The battle that seems to be the focus of every Cavs vs. Celts game has been Lebron James vs. Paul Pierce. Well tonight, unfortunately for Pierce, the King held court, again. As a matter of fact, in the last five games, James has outscored Pierce by 72 points. "He is the toughest player I've ever had to guard, Pierce told ESPN. "He's bigger than me, he's stronger than me, he's faster than me and I feel it..." Pierce said. In the third quarter, James seemed to take full advantage of Pierce and the Celtics' issues with guarding him as he dropped 13 points in the quarter. James had his way with the Celtics defense, scoring buckets in ways many mere mortals could only imagine on his way to 28 points 6 assist and 4 rebounds 3 steals and 3 blocks, extending the Cavs lead to 12 by quarters end. James hit reverse layups in traffic, double clutch, 15 foot jump shots while being fouled, and a long three point bomb. Pierce only had 7 points going into the fourth. BSO asked James about guarding Pierce, "...make Paul have a lot of different looks...we were able to do that." Pierce showed his frustrations at the end of the third after he missed a shot at the buzzer and fell onto to a Cleveland fan.... and voiced his displeasure, to the fans' dismay... the Cavs took a 72-60 lead into the forth.
If this story is seemingly becoming one sided its not by chance, by the start of the forth quarter, the game was also one sided. The forth quarter was dominated by the Cavs and the King, as they all seemed to hit big shot after, big shot to push the lead to 20 points 91 to 71 with 5:19 left in the forth. This forced the frustrated Celtics to change strategy to the HACK-A- Ben tactic that teams in the past only reserved for "the Daddy" (Shaquille O'Neal of the Phoenix Suns). The Celtics fouled Wallace five times in the fourth and Big Ben a 44% shooter from the line, stepped up and knocked down 5/10 free throws, in front of 20,000 screaming Cleveland fans. After Lebron effortlessly nailed a 40 foot jumper off glass, during one of Boston's intentional fouls on Wallace, nearly creating what James argued should've been a five point play, Boston surrendered with 4:14 left in the game when Celtics coach Doc Rivers sent in subs for the big 3. (Garnett, Pierce, and Allen) The three combined for 41 total points for the Champs. James finished the game with 38 points, 6 assist, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks.
After the game, BSO asked the King if the Cavs were trying to show the rest of the league that they are for real... "I think teams know that... [We] didn't need to win tonight to show that..." said James. We asked Cavs coach Mike Brown the same question "[We were] ... not delivering a message... I'll let you know after winning a trophy"... Brown said jokingly.
So, after this big win the Cavs have extended their home win streak to a new NBA record 19 straight. Cleveland looks like the new beasts' in the east and King James seems to have them focused and poised. "I approach each game with a winning mentality... James said. They look focused enough to take on all comers. I personally can't see anyone beating the Cavs in a seven game series, especially if the Cavs have the home court advantage. It won't happen on King James' court. Lebron James wins MVP. Cleveland Cavaliers are World Champions, wishful thinking? Maybe, but remember you read it here first. We are hot on the trail... Stay tuned for the next King James Chronicles by BSO.
I am still the best!!!
Dick riding at its best