Before the 2016 NBA All-Star break, the Cavaliers will play a four-game homestand, starting on Friday night as the Boston Celtics roll into town. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. (ET) from Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 35-13 record, which includes a 19-3 record at home. Over the last three home games, Cleveland is averaging 115.3 points on .536 shooting from the field and 29.3 assists.
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On the season, the Cavs are scoring an average of 105.3 points per home contest, which ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference.
In 40 career regular season games against the Celtics, LeBron James has his 2nd-highest scoring average against any NBA opponent with 29.7 points on .497 shooting from the field, 6.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks in 39.8 minutes per game (OKC-29.73 ppg).
In Cleveland’s first meeting against the Celtics, Love tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks in 34 minutes of action. Over Love’s last five games, he’s averaging 20.4 points, including .455 shooting from deep, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 34.8 minutes.
The Wine and Gold will need similar production from Love, James and the rest of the squad against a Boston team playing some good basketball as of late.
Boston (29-22) enters Friday’s contest having won seven of their last eight games after defeating the Detroit Pistons, 102-95, in their most recent game on Wednesday in Beantown.
The Celtics boast a unique scoring attack with seven players averaging 9+ points per game led by recently named All-Star, Isaiah Thomas. Thomas leads the C’s in both points (21.4) and assists (6.6).
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 La Mega
Programming Note: On Friday, FOX Sports Ohio is airing the Cavs – Celtics game (7:30 p.m.) and the Blue Jackets – Flames game (9:00 p.m.). To view TV listings, CLICK HERE.
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike and @chones22 on Twitter.
Status Update: (Cavs) – Matthew Dellavedova, (Sore Left Hamstring, TBD)
Status Update: (Celtics) – Jordan Mickey, (Sprained Left Ankle, Out)
*Subject to change.
The Wine and Gold are riding a five-game winning streak against the Celtics, which include a sweep in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
In the first meeting against Boston this season (Dec. 15), the Cavs picked up an 89-77 victory at the TD Garden in Boston. The Cavaliers held the Celtics to 77 points on 28-87 (.322) shooting, including 9-32 (.281) shooting from beyond the arc, and outscored them 44-24 in points in the paint.
Cleveland outscored Boston 49-31 in the second half of that game, holding the Celtics to shooting 11-42 (.262) in the final half. The Cavs have held opponents to under 80 points six times this season (6-0).
Black Heritage Celebration: The Cavaliers 12th annual Black Heritage Celebration (BHC) presented by Hennessy will tip off on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The special night will begin a month-long celebration themed “Empowering and Inspiring One Generation to the Next.” The BHC, which is a salute to Black History Month in February, recognizes the remarkable past accomplishments of African American civic icons who have paved the path for future generations. LEARN MORE
After Friday’s matchup, the Wine and Gold are right back at it on Saturday looking for some revenge against a New Orleans Pelicans team that knocked them off in overtime back on December 4. Next week, they close out the homestand with the DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings on Monday followed by Kobe Bryant’s final appearance at The Q when the L.A. Lakers roll in on Wednesday. GET TICKETS | VIEW FULL SCHEDULE
