Fear The Sword

It was supposed to be a preview of what could be to come in the playoffs.  Despite the fact the game had no real playoff implications, it was supposed to be played like it did.  One of the two teams in today's battle of NBA titan's lived up to their end of the bargain.  The other never got off the bus.

Behind a barrage of dunks, blocks and three pointers, the Cavs thoroughly beat-down the defending champions 107-76 in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated.  LeBron James scored 29, despite resting the entire 4th quarter, while four other Cavaliers scored in double-digits.

After being embarrassed in back-to-back road games last week, the Cavaliers have won 4 straight games by an average of 18 points. Three of those games came against teams heading to the playoffs.  To say the Cavs are ready is an understatement.

If you missed the first 4 minutes of the game you missed it all.  The Cavs jumped out to a 16-6 lead and never looked back.  The Celtics were still without Kevin Garnett, but that didn't stop them in Boston and Doc Rivers will likely not use it as an excuse.  At one point, Rivers pleaded with his team by proclaiming he could guard them, a reference to their immobile offense and penchant for hoisting long-range jump-shots.

Now the 1985 Celtics will have to rely on the 76'ers to save their record.  Now sitting at 39-1 at home this season, perhaps only Mike Brown can save the Celtics, should he decide to rest his starters.  This team has earned the right, however, to go after every record, every accolade it can, and I look for the Cavaliers to show their appreciation to the hometown fans by giving it their all on Wednesday night.

The Cavs' magic number for clinching home court through every playoff series now sits at one, making it a virtual certainty that the Cavaliers will finish the regular season with the NBA's best record.  Add it to the list.

Next up, a trip to Indiana tomorrow night to face the Pacers.

GO CAVS!