Cavaliers 94 - 105 Celtics
Final
  for this game

Playoff-bound Celtics, Cavs meet in battle for East

Mar 6, 2009 - 11:11 AM Cleveland (48-12) at Boston (48-14) 8:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Eastern Conference's best go head-to-head on Friday when the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The defending champions, Boston sealed a playoff berth on Wednesday, when Paul Pierce hit a jumper with 20 seconds left to seal a 115-111 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Stephon Marbury was greeted with boos in his first appearance in New Jersey since signing with the Celtics after a season-long dispute with the New York Knicks that saw him sit out until reaching a financial agreement with New York and being released.

Marbury wound up with no points and four assists in 14 minutes.

LeBron James and the Cavaliers, who punched their postseason ticket with a care-free 91-73 rout over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, are hoping to have Joe Smith in uniform against the Celtics.

The 14th-year veteran and former first overall pick was waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday and signed a one-year deal with Cleveland, which is looking to add another big body after Ben Wallace suffered a fractured leg.






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