Cavs blog by Bob Finnan

This is going to be a knock-down, drag-out playoff series.

Things are just starting to heat up. The Cavs' little skirmish just before halftime was just the tip of the iceburg. There could be a fight before it's all said and done.

That's why Coach Mike Brown stressed for his team to keep its poise in this series. The Cavs prevailed in Game 1, 93-86.

There was a lot of talking going on, and a lot of physical play. LeBron James got hit in the mouth on one drive to the basket in the first quarter. He came back on the next possession and elbowed Andray Blatche in the jaw.

Players were being knocked down all over the court. It looked more like a hockey match.

Both teams expected this kind of series. Game 1 didn't disappoint.

There's not much separating these two teams. The Cavs pay more attention to defense, while the Wizards are far superior on offense. Guard Gilbert Arenas didn't look like he missed 66 games this year with knee surgery when he poured in three 3-pointers in a span of 1:33 in the first and second quarters.

He finished with 24 points and said he wore down a bit at the end.

Swingman Caron Butler is a bit banged up, which might account for his 14 points and four rebounds. Many thought he'd shred Wally Szczerbiak, but the latter held his own on the defensive end. Expect the Wizards to concentrate on this matchup a little more in Game 2.

Now, the Cavs have to find someone to defend power forward Antawn Jamison, who had 23 points and 19 rebounds. He's a bit unorthodox in his approach, but he definitely gets the job done.