Celtics/Cavaliers Series Preview

This is what we've been waiting for since the Celtics sealed their fate as the Eastern Conference's fourth seed. That seed guaranteed that the C's would face off against the top seeded Cavaliers in the second round if each team won their first series.

Now they face a Cavaliers team that they went 2-2 against in the regular season. However, this is a different Cavs team that the C's faced last.

• First, LeBron's elbow (swollen and bruised) has hobbled him recently. He's not supposed to miss any games (not that anyone expected him to). However, it noticeably bothered him in the final game against the Bulls. You'll definitely be hearing the phrase "LeBron's elbow" often.
  
• Second, the team added perennial All Star Antawn Jamison to the fold at the deadline. Jamison added 15.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in 25 contests after being acquired from the Wizards. He makes the Cavs team deeper which helps match up with teams like the Celts and Magic.
  
• Last, Shaquille O'Neal is back form the thumb injury he suffered against the Celtics several weeks ago when Big Baby blocked a shot and nailed his thumb. He only averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds per game against the Bulls in just 20 minutes per game in the first round, but the the Big Aristotle is built for the playoffs and those legs are rested.

The series against the Heat was essentially a cakewalk; a tune-up if you will. Now the metaphorical hill the team must climb to another championship gets steeper. Here's what the C's need to do to win the series:

1. Contain LeBron James. The King averaged a beastly 36.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 6.5 assists per game in four regular season contests against the C's. He's the best the league has to offer, but the C's need to approach him like they did Dwyane Wade. Take away his supporting cast and if he beats you by himself (like Wade did in a 46 point effort) then he beats you. LBJ's outside game is spotty, so the C's need to make him settle for jump shots and threes when possible.
2. Rebound the basketball. The C's didn't rebound well in the regular season and they were inconsistent against the Heat in five games on the boards. These missed boards result in second chance opportunities for the opponent which the C's cannot afford to give. Shaq, Varejao, Hickson, and Igauskas are all good on the glass, so the C's bigs need to box out well in the series.
3. Match the energy off the Cavs bench. Big Baby had an unbelievable game five against the Heat with just under thirty minutes of spirited play. The C's bench needs to have several good games in this series to match the energy players the Cavs bring off their bench. Delonte West, Anderson Varejao, and Jamario Moon all usually provide a spark in their limited minutes and the C's need to match it or put it out.
4. Cut down on the turnovers. The Celtics averaged an astonishing 14.6 turnovers per game to the Heat. Dumb turnovers too. A veteran team like this one needs to cut down on the mistakes plain and simple.
   

It really comes down to the play of the Big Four. Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and Rondo need to be consistent and help each other out. They need to bring their "A" games to take down the mighty Cavs.

Prediction: Celtics in 7