Some playoff observations

Cavs playoff blog by Bob Finnan

1. First of all, one has to applaud the Cavs' intensity in Game 1. TD Banknorth Garden was loud and the fans were crazy. Even when LeBron James was forced to the bench with foul trouble, the Cavs didn't fold. They came after the Celtics.

2. The Celtics are beatable. Yes, I picked Boston in 7 games, but that doesn't mean the Cavs can't win this series. Forward Kevin Garnett was sensational in Game 1 with 28 points and eight rebounds. But Ben Wallace fought him the whole game. That guy refused to back down from KG. When Coach Mike Brown took Wallace out of the game with under a minute to play, KG immediately attacked Joe Smith on the game-winning basket. Note to Mike: Leave Big Ben in the game during crunch time. Because of free-throw deficiencies, coaches like to take Wallace out at the end of games. But in this instance, he had to be on the floor.

3. Of course, LeBron James won't shoot 2 of 18 again in the playoffs. I guarantee it. He'll come back strong in Game 2, and don't be surprised if the Cavs win. Unfortunately, Ray Allen won't be scoreless in Game 2. The Celtics will do everything they can to get him off. He'd never been held scoreless before in a playoff game, and only twice in his entire career.

4. Paul Pierce took the challenge of guarding James. He said their strategy was to send James toward the help defense (KG and Kendrick Perkins).