(My Sportsbook) - After going nearly six weeks without losing a game, the
Boston Celtics have been in a rut. The slumping defending world champions now have to face the NBA's lone remaining unbeaten team at home this season, the
Cleveland Cavaliers, tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in a showdown between the Eastern Conference's top two squads.
The Celtics appeared invincible during a franchise-record 19-game winning streak between November 15-December 23, but they've been far from dominant as of late. Since that amazing tear, Boston has lost six times in eight tries and carries a three-game skid into tonight's test following Wednesday's 89-85 home defeat to Houston.
Boston took a 74-71 lead into the fourth quarter against the Rockets, but mustered only 11 points over the final stanza in losing for only the second time at TD Banknorth Garden this season.
Paul Pierce netted 26 points for the Celtics, who suffered road losses to New York and Charlotte prior to Wednesday's setback, while Kevin Garnett posted 18 points and eight rebounds.
While Boston has been floundering on the road as of late, having dropped five of its six most recent tilts as the visitor, the Cavaliers have reigned supreme on their home court. Cleveland improved to 18-0 at Quicken Loans Arena with Wenesday's 111-81 rout of Charlotte, the Cavs' eighth victory in its last 10 overall.
LeBron James once again led Cleveland with 21 points, with Mo Williams contributing 15 points and six assists on the night. Daniel Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak also had 15 points for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland has gone 19-3 since November 22 and has moved ahead of the Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings with the surge. The Cavs moved to 28-6 with Wednesday's win and are a half-game up of Boston for the top spot.
These two powerhouses will be meeting for the first time since the 2008-09 season opener, won by the Celtics in Boston by a 90-85 count. The Celtics and Cavaliers also squared off in last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals, with Boston prevailing in a hard-fought seven-game series en route to capturing the 17th world title in franchise history.
