Celtics at Cavaliers
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics will get to work trying to make up for a miserable first half of the season when they travel to Cleveland to meet the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Rajon Rondo returns after serving a two-game suspension for throwing a ball at an official. The Cavaliers were one of the surprise teams of the first half and begin the second half one game behind the Celtics in the loss column for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS New England (Celtics), FS Ohio (Cavaliers)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-17): Boston stumbled into the All-Star break on a five-game losing streak (the last four on the road) and have lost seven of eight. The Celtics’ Big Four of Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen started 16 of the Celtics’ 32 games in the first half. With all of them finally healthy and available, the pressing question is finding a center because Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox have struggled with injuries throughout the season.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (13-18): Rookie Kyrie Irving scored 34 points in the Rising Stars game to earn the MVP award during All-Star weekend. Coach Byron Scott called it Irving’s coming-out party since he hasn’t received much national notoriety yet despite being the top pick in last summer’s draft. Irving begins the second half averaging 18.1 points and 5.1 assists to lead all rookies in scoring and rank second in assists.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Cavaliers guard Anthony Parker could make his return Tuesday. He has missed the last month with a strained lower back and hasn’t played since facing the Celtics on Jan. 29.
2. Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds during 11 games in February.
3. The Celtics have lost their last three games (on the road at Detroit, Dallas and Oklahoma City) by an average of 15.3 points.