Cavs – Celtics Game Day Notes

Thursday, November 3rd, 2016

WHEN: 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: @TheQArena, Cleveland, Ohio
WATCH: @NBAonTNT
LISTEN: @WMMS 100.7 FM, @wtam1100, y La Mega 87.7FM

– Cavaliers (4-0, 1st in Central): Cleveland’s defending NBA champion Cavaliers are riding an impressive four-game winning streak after Tuesday night’s grind-out (128-120) victory over the Houston Rockets inside Quicken Loans Arena.

Cleveland’s match-up against Houston produced quite a few noteworthy accolades – and alot of points.

* With Tuesday’s win in the books, The Cavaliers have begun the season with a 4-0 record for the first time in 16 years (2000-01).

* Cleveland’s 128 point total was the most they have scored in a regulation game since January of 2015 (vs Charlotte).

* In the fourth quarter, Cleveland pounded the Rockets with 43 points. That’s just three points shy of their record for any quarter in franchise history. Furthermore, the Cavs made their final eight shots from the field (13-of-15 as a team in the fourth).

Best scoring 4th Q (43) for the Cavs in 6 years!

— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) November 2, 2016

* Cleveland shot 87% from the field in the final quarter of play. That’s good for the highest shooting percentage of any quarter in franchise history.

How about this?? #Cavs with their best shooting quarter ever!! 87%!! It came in the 4th..13-15..

— Fred McLeod (@CavsFredMcLeod) November 2, 2016

* J.R. Smith surpassed current Cavs Assistant Coach Damon Jones (344) for ninth place in three-point field goals made in Cavaliers franchise history. Smith tallied 15 points in Cleveland’s victory over the Rockets – all of which came from beyond the three-point line.

Kyrie Irving led all Cleveland scorers in Tuesday night’s win, scoring 32 points (11 in the fourth quarter), four assists, and two rebounds in his 34 minutes of playing time. Irving is now the team’s leading scorer with an average of 26.8 points per game.

In a post-win locker room, LeBron James had high praise for Irving and his development as a player, saying:

“He’s special. He’s growing every day. He’s in a zone. He knows who he is and what it’s about. The sky is the limit for him.”

When asked how he stays motivated after winning the NBA championship last season, James replied, saying:

“We just have to go out and play the game. We’re not satisfied.”

* Cavaliers projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Kyrie Irving (6′-3″, 193 lbs)
(SG) J.R. Smith (6′-6″, 225 lbs)
(SF) LeBron James (6′-8″, 250 lbs)
(PF) Kevin Love (6′-10″, 251 lbs)
(PF) Tristan Thompson (6′-10″, 238 lbs)

* Cavaliers injury report *

– (None to report)

– Celtics (3-1, 1st in Atlantic): Boston comes into tonight’s match-up on the tail-end of a back-to-back set. After topping the Chicago Bulls last night in Beantown (107-100), Boston will be carrying a two-game winning streak into Cleveland.

The Celtics signed Al Horford to a four-year, $113 million deal in this year’s offseason. Their offense has ran well through their first few games with the 6′-10″ “stretch” big man. However, Horford has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol program after taking a hit to the head in practice on Monday.

With Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) and Jae Crowder (ankle) both ruled out of tonight’s game, Head Coach Brad Stevens and his Celtics will be a bit thin in the front-court. Look for Tyler Zeller to get a starting nod at the center position.

In a post-win locker room last night , Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas spoke with ESPN’s Chris Forsberg about facing the defending champions while his team is short-handed, saying:

“There’s no excuses, (the Cavaliers) are not going to feel sorry for us. We gotta get our rest tonight and be ready.”

* Celtics projected starting lineup (subject to change) *

(PG) Isaiah Thomas (5′-9″, 185 lbs)
(SG) Avery Bradley (6′-2″, 180 lbs)
(SF) Jaylen Brown (6′-7″, 225 lbs)
(PF) Amir Johnson (6′-9″, 250 lbs)
(C) Tyler Zeller (7′-0″, 250 lbs)

* Celtics injury report *

– (SF) Jae Crowder (ankle): Out
– (PF/C) Kelly Olynyk (shoulder): Out
– (C) Al Horford (concussion protocol): Doubtful

* All stats and information via www.basketball-reference.com, www.rotoworld.com, www.nba.com, www.espn.com, Elias Sports Bureau, and The Associated Press *