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The Cavaliers brought in Shaquille O'Neal to add more size. The Cavaliers traded for Antawn Jamison to add a stretch four that was versatile while not losing size. The Cavaliers will undoubtedly re-sign Zydrunas Ilgauskas following his buyout to add more size. And yet, it was the Cavaliers going small that helped them to a 108-88 win over over the Boston Celtics, in Boston.
After Shaquille O'Neal left the game in the 2nd quarter, the Cavs struggled to the half down 56-48. But after the Cavs went to a smaller lineup without a true center, the Cavs outscored Boston 60-32, many of those points coming off transition alley oop created by cross-court passes.
The first half was outright Boston domination, as Rondo shredded the lane, Perkins finished dunks, and Ray Allen knocked down three after three. Boston looked tougher, sharper, and more dedicated. But as we've seen in games against the Hawks and Magic, a pattern re-emerged when the Celtics' opponent started simply... running. When the Cavs started pushing the ball with Delonte West and LeBron James, it opened up offensive rebounds for Anderson Varejao and wide-open three pointers for Mo Williams, who went a little nova.
The Celtics this season start out games strong, establish their tempo, exert their will, and then... completely surrender and get run ragged. The Cavs' offense looked so much better when it opened things up, with better spacing, more attacks at the basket, and all the offensive boards they wanted. Meanwhile, the Celtics again looked the o-word. O-L-D. Even with the influx of younger talent with Marquis Daniels and Tony Allen (younger being the operative term with Allen at 28), the Celtics still could simply not keep up. Throw in some LeBron James doing what LeBron James does and you have a 20-plus win for the Cavs.
For the Cavs, this was a very positive game. Beating a top Eastern seed on the road after going down by double digits early and without their trademark size shows versatility and adaptability, which they'll need in the playoffs. For the Celtics, the questions continue to mount as the Celtics find themselves without a lead in a season series against any of the other top teams in the East.
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