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  • Home : News : News : Local Sports
    Local Sports
    Last chance
    Bob Finnan RFinnan@News-Herald.com
    05/16/2008
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    ...For LeBron James and the Cavs to rise up if they want to keep playing

    One misstep and the 2007-08 season could be history.
    That's the dilemma facing the Cavaliers, who are one loss away from elimination in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics.
    The Celtics protected their home court on Wednesday in Game 5, 96-89, and now have a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
    Game 6 is 8 tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.
    "It's like a heavyweight fight," Cavs point guard Delonte West said. "There are two rounds left, and we need to win both of them."
    The Cavs have been through so much this season, including a trip to China, holdouts, injuries and a blockbuster trade. Through it all, they've been a resilient bunch.
    "This is a tough team," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "We have guys who are mentally tough and veterans who know what it takes to win. I have confidence in them. I believe in them. They can win (tonight)."
    One thing in the Cavs' favor is the Celtics' inability to win on the road in the playoffs. They are 0-5 away from TD Banknorth Garden this year in the postseason.
    The Celtics are far from being the only team that hasn't won on the road in the second round. Road teams are 1-20 in the semifinals away from home.
    "We keep having opportunities to win road games," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "That means we're still alive. I hate to throw other teams out (there), but others aren't playing well on the road, either.
    "We'll get one. It would be great if it's Game 6."
    If the Celtics don't get the job done tonight, they'll have another chance to wrap up the series at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Garden. They are 7-0 at home in the playoffs this year.
    The Celtics know winning at The Q won't be an easy task.
    "Close-out games are always the hardest," Celtics guard Ray Allen said. "The team is going to fight. The building is going to be behind them. You just have to go in there and do the small things and be aggressive with defensive energy."
    Cavs forward LeBron James had his highest-scoring game of the series in Game 5 in Boston when he erupted for 35 points.
    The Celtics wanted to double-team him in the first half when he had 23 points, but there was one problem.
    "He was beating the guy guarding him before the double team could come," Rivers said. "In the second half, we did a better job of forcing him into the double teams."
    James is averaging 22 points, 8.2 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game in the Boston series. His field-goal percentage is up to 31.1.
    "I don't think he's been playing poorly, (maybe) his field-goal percentage," Rivers said. "He's a great player. We're going to have to win when he plays a great game."
    The Cavs will be playing the rest of the series without guard Daniel Gibson, who separated his shoulder in Game 5.
    If they are able to prevail tonight, the Cavs still must solve the Celtics' mastery at the Garden to win the series.
    "They are a good team in general, and it's hard to beat anyone on the road, especially in the playoffs," Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said. "Obviously, we have not figured it out yet.
    "We have to win one game at a time. We're a good home team, too. If we beat them (tonight), then it will come down to one game. It won't be easy, but we will give ourselves a chance."


    ©The News-Herald 2010


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