Cavs pound Celtics in possible playoff preview
CLEVELAND, Ohio (AFP) - - The Cleveland Cavaliers showed the Boston Celtics just what they’ll be up against in a possible National Baksetball Association playoff clash Sunday with a regular-season drubbing
LeBron James made five three-pointers and scored 29 points as the league-leading Cavaliers beat reigning NBA champs Boston 107-76.
The Cavaliers improved to 39-1 at home, and with a victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday they can match the 1985-86 Celtics for best home record in NBA history.
But what the Cavaliers really want is to seize the title that Boston won last year.
They warmed up for a possible meeting with Boston in the Eastern Conference playoffs by posting their most one-sided victory in 173 games against the Celtics.
Cleveland led 31-9 after the first quarter, and stretched the lead to 30 in the second period.
Cavs star James didn’t play in the fourth quarter, getting a little rest along with Mo Williams and Delonte West.
While they clowned on their bench, the Celtics were clearly just waiting for it to be over on theirs.
Paul Pierce scored 14 points and Glen Davis 12 for the Celtics, who were held to 36 percent shooting.
Cleveland have already clinched the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. With a victory on Monday in Indianapolis, they can secure home-court in the NBA finals as well, should they reach them.
To get to the championship series, Cleveland will likely have to get past the Celtics, who beat them in a seven-game Eastern Conference semi-final series last year. link: yahoo
