Continuing Story: Cavs Can't Handle Big Boys

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Cavaliers have had a season like no other in their nearly 40-year history. LeBron James has had yet another brilliant season and both he and the team look destined for further greatness in the postseason.

Or maybe not.

The Cavs lost, 105-94 last night to the defending champion Boston Celtics who were playing without one third of their star triumvirate. Kevin Garnett missed his seventh straight game to injury and reserve spark plug Glen Davis was ejected early in the third quarter. None of that adversity slowed the Celtics, who moved into a virtual tie with Cleveland for the best record in the Eastern Conference. This win was huge for another reason; it gave Boston the edge if both teams finish with identical records which will ensure a game 7 will be played in TD Banknorth, the Celtics' home court.

James was ineffective with a lackluster 21 points, while his superstar counterpart, Boston's Paul Pierce scored 29 efficiently. With Boston's big men dominating Cleveland in the paint by a 58-22 scoring margin, the East-leading Cavs seemed undersized and overmatched. Recent reacquisition Joe Smith couldn't provide an answer and the absence of injured big man Ben Wallace made this a cakewalk for the Celtics.

The disturbing thing about this game was that it continued a dangerous cycle for the Cavs. They were similarly dominated by the super L.A. Lakers and East rival Orlando Magic. In the matchups with the Lakers, the Cavs were clueless against the long, active and athletic Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. When they came to Cleveland, L.A. got 10 rebounds from Odom in the third quarter alone and the Cavs lost their first (and only) home game.

Orlando dominated the same way.

The Magic, thanks to strong efforts from Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu killed the Cavs on the interior. In fact, Boston, L.A. and Orlando have collectively averaged fifty points per game in the paint v.s. Cleveland. This has become an enormous problem and will definitely get worse in the playoffs if the Cavs don't figure this thing out. Last night, Mo Williams knocked in 26 points, but at 6'1," he wasn't exactly what the doctor ordered.

All is not lost for the Cavs, though. With Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejao, Joe Smith and J.J. Hickson, they have big bodies. They just have to have a better game plan.

But us fans should still be worried.