After Golden Opportunity Squandered in Game 1, Celtics Must Show Up to Play Game 2

This is the first time since acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen that the Celtics have begun a playoff series on the road.

When you don't start out with home-court advantage, you have to steal it by winning one in the other team's building.

The Celtics passed up a golden opportunity on Saturday night to do just that. They led the Cavaliers for all of the second and third quarters of Game 1 in Cleveland, but they came undone in crunch time. If they want to be back in the driver's seat in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they need to get back on track with a win Monday in Game 2. Here's their chance.

When and Where

Celtics at Cavaliers
Monday, May 3, 8 p.m. (TNT)
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Head to Head

Saturday night wasn't the first time that the Celtics have fallen apart late against the Cavaliers.

Remember these teams' third meeting, on March 14 at the Q? The Celtics tied that one late in the third quarter, 68-68, but then collapsed down the stretch and lost by an eerily familiar final score of 104-93.

Seems like the problem against this Cavaliers team is closing things out, playing just as well in the fourth quarter as in the final three. The C's are now 2-3, regular season and playoffs included, against the Cavs this year.

Key Matchup

Kendrick Perkins vs. Shaquille O'Neal
Shaq was a pleasant surprise for the Cavs in Game 1 with his ability to get to the basket and make things happen. It's never easy to defend a guy who's listed at 7-foot-1 and 325 pounds and is probably even bigger.

But Kendrick Perkins has got to make an effort, limiting Shaq's touches down low and standing up to him whenever he tries to establish position on the low post. The Cavs are hoping their size is an asset in this series against the Celtics, and it's Perk's job to deny them that advantage.

Starting Lineups

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins

Cavaliers
Point guard: Mo Williams
Shooting guard: Anthony Parker
Small forward: LeBron James
Power forward: Antawn Jamison
Center: Shaquille O'Neal

Stat Sheet

Celtics

• Rajon Rondo had 27 points, 12 assists and six rebounds in the Celtics' Game 1 loss.
• In the postseason for his career, Ray Allen shoots 41.3 percent from 3-point range, 45.5 percent from the field and 89.5 percent from the free-throw line.
• Glen Davis is averaging 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game off the bench in the playoffs.

Cavaliers

• LeBron James had 35 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in the Cavaliers' Game 1 win.
• Shaquille O'Neal has averaged 24.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game against the Celtics in his career.
• Jamario Moon is 8-of-13 from 3-point range in this postseason.

Black and Blue

Celtics

• Rajon Rondo says he feels fine after a prolonged bout with the flu over the past two weeks.

Cavaliers

• LeBron James' strained right elbow didn't slow him down one bit in Game 1 against the Celtics on Saturday night.

Outlook

The game plan is simple: Come ready to play all four quarters. The C's might be older and they might not have the same energy that these Cavs do, but they've got to work as hard as possible.

No lead is big enough, and there's never room to get complacent.

The Celtics definitely have what it takes to steal Game 2 and salvage a road split, but they need to stay focused and keep their foot on the gas pedal. It's up to coach Doc Rivers and the veteran leaders around him to instill the persistence it takes to win in Cleveland.