Beatdown: C’s 120, Cavs 88

Posted by Brian Robb on May 11, 2010 806549 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fbeatdown-cs-120-cavs-88%2FBeatdown%3A+C%27s+120%2C+Cavs+882010-05-12+03%3A20%3A07Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D8065

ESPN • Fear the Sword • Cavs the Blog

Paul Pierce is back, Ray Allen can still shoot, and Lebron James can be stopped. Put it all together and you get a game of beauty if you are a Boston Celtics fan. After stumbling out of the gate in game 5, the C’s seized control of this contest in the 2nd quarter with a 15-0 run with the team’s floor general in Rajon Rondo resting comfortably on the bench.

The Cavs kept it interesting until halftime, but the C’s dropped a resounding hammer on the overmatched Cavs in the 2nd half, dismantling Cleveland on both sides of the floor, outscoring them by a whopping 26 points on their way to 32 point victory. While the C’s shelled out a similar beatdown in game 2, this time they learned from their fourth quarter letdown when the Cavs cut a 25 point deficit to 10 in the closing minutes of the 4th, before the C’s regained control.

This time, there was no such run. At best, Cleveland was managing to trade baskets with Boston, while the C’s kept up the pressure, stepping on the Cavs throat as the home team had nowhere to turn with their MVP having easily the worst playoff game of his career.

Make no mistake about just how much of a team effort was. It was as if the C’s were passing a baton to each other through the final 3 quarters offensively, with everyone pitching in their fair share. From Ray Allen’s 3 point clinic (6-9 from deep), to Rajon Rondo aggressiveness (12 points in 3rd quarter), with Glen Davis anchoring the squad with a monster 4th quarter off the bench to help put Cleveland away for good.

Paul Pierce and KG also contributed terrific nights offensively, as Paul dropped his passive act and came out looking for his shot early and often. He didn’t hit too much early from the field, but his play opened up the floor for his teammates as the game continued with The Truth contributing easily the team’s best all around line on the night with 21 points, 11 boards and 7 assists.

On the other end, Mike Brown emptied his cupboard, dusting off everyone from Boobie Gibson to Big Z in hopes of slowing the C’s down with no such luck. Shaq was Cleveland’s best player tonight and guess what? A 37 year old Shaq is not going to win many games for you.

Much more on the way but right now the C’s remain in the driver’s seat with a chance to close this out Thursday night in Beantown. Can’t ask for more than that.

Oh and Lebron, how’s that elbow feeling? I saw you get rid of the elbow pad, so I’m sure it wasn’t bothering you much anymore.

Feel good about this one Celtics fans, but know there is still work to be done. You can bet Doc Rivers is preaching that in the locker room tonight, but for now, let’s savor the C’s best all-around performance of the season.

So much more analysis and kudos to be handed around tonight, all on the way………