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Cavs and Celtics clash at the "Q"

Nov 30, 2010 - 3:47 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics attempt to avenge an earlier loss this season to the Cleveland Cavaliers when the two Eastern Conference inhabitants clash tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

Boston, which eliminated the Cavs from last year's playoffs in six games, suffered a 95-87 setback at Cleveland on Oct. 27. The Celtics have lost two in a row and 10 of 11 trips to the Forest City.

The Celtics have played much better since that setback and will try for their fourth straight win tonight. They were last in action in Friday's 110-101 victory at home over Toronto, as Kevin Garnett scored 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the way.

Paul Pierce and Glen Davis both added 18 points for the Celtics, who have won six of eight games overall. Ray Allen chipped in 17 points and eight assists in a winning effort. Rajon Rondo, who missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, finished with four points and 14 assists in his return to the lineup.

"He's one of the greatest point guards ever...plays well," Boston center Shaquille O'Neal said of Rondo. "We tell him he's too unselfish...like any time he had a layup and he kicked it out. But right now our plan is to maintain the leads and just take care of business."

Boston is 5-3 away from TD Garden this season.

Cleveland will resume a three-game homestand Tuesday and has won three straight at the Q, including Saturday's 92-86 victory versus Memphis.

Mo Williams scored 25 points, dished out 12 assists and pulled down five rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have won two of three games since a three-game slide and got 16 points and five boards from J.J. Hickson.

"Yes, I'm just trying to be consistent with it each and every night and trying to get a flow to it...Guys, as far as my teammates, are getting more and more comfortable finding their spots and being more familiar with what we are going to do," said Williams, who is averaging 19.4 points in his last five games.

The Cavs will welcome former superstar LeBron James and the Miami Heat on Thursday in a much-anticipated showdown. James, of course, departed Cleveland to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in south Florida this offseason.

Cleveland is 4-4 as the host this season.