Celtics Heading to Cleveland With Hopes of Avenging Early-Season Loss to J.J. Hickson, Cavaliers

The last time the Celtics played the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was overshadowed in more ways than one by LeBron James. The Celtics had just won their season opener, defeating James’ Miami Heat, and the Cavs were just beginning to play their first game in the post-LeBron era. The story was dominated by a guy who wasn’t even in the building.

On Tuesday when the Celtics visit Cleveland again, that’ll be the case for a second time. The Cavs are getting a chance to knock off the C’s for the second time, but that’s not what’s really on their minds. A titanic showdown with LeBron and the Heat looms two days later.

The Cavs will try to block out the distractions and win this “game before the game.”

When and Where

Celtics at Cavaliers
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m. (CSNNE)
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Head to Head

Of the Celtics’ four losses this season, the first one came against the Cavaliers on Oct. 27. The C’s had 19 turnovers, they allowed J.J. Hickson to shoot 8-for-11 and go off for 21 points, and they lost on the road, 95-87, in what may well have been the classic post-Miami trap game. Now they look for redemption in the second of three matchups with the Cavs this season. (The third is in Boston on Jan. 25.)

Key Matchup

Rajon Rondo vs. Mo Williams

We now live in a post-LeBron James era, and Mo Williams is the guy that makes the Cavaliers’ offense go. Williams was injured to start the season, but he’s now back, he’s healthy, and he’s commandeering the Cavs. He’s taken 20-plus shots in two of his last three games. He’s getting every kind of look imaginable — in the paint, from beyond the arc, and everywhere in between. He’s going to be a handful for Rondo, who’s got to chase Williams around screens and contest shots all night long.

Starting Lineups

Celtics

Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Shaquille O’Neal

Cavaliers
Point guard: Mo Williams
Shooting guard: Anthony Parker
Small forward: Joey Graham
Power forward: J.J. Hickson
Center: Anderson Varejao

Stat Sheet

Celtics

• Kevin Garnett had 26 points in the Celtics’ win Friday over the Raptors, a season high.
• Rondo is first in the NBA in assists per game (14.2), fourth in steals per game (2.5) and fifth in minutes per game (39.2).
• Paul Pierce has career averages of 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game against the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers

• Williams had 25 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in the Cavs’ win Saturday over the Grizzlies. It was his first double-double of the season.
• Anderson Varejao leads the Cavaliers in rebounds per game (8.9) and blocks per game (1.1).
• Antawn Jamison has career averages of 20.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game against the Celtics.

Black and Blue

Celtics

• Rondo made his return Friday from a strained left hamstring. He started and played 36 minutes.
• Delonte West is out with a broken right wrist. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday.
• Jermaine O’Neal is out with a knee injury. He will not play this week.
• Kendrick Perkins has a torn ACL and will be out until 2011.

Cavaliers

• Williams missed five games earlier this season with a groin injury. He’s now back in action.

Outlook

Rondo describes the process of beating these Cavaliers as “cutting the head off of the snake.” In other words, to beat the Cavs, you’ve got to go right at Williams and stop their offense before it starts. The Cavs didn’t even have Williams the last time they played the Celtics, and they won anyway — but with Williams back, it becomes even tougher. The Celtics can’t sleep on this Cleveland team, not for one minute. They tried that last time, and we all know what happened.