The Boston Cletis have dominated LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers with their defense in the first two games of this series, as James has twice as many turnovers as field goals made. Tonight Cleveland comes back home where it’s do or die time.

Overall this season the Cavs actually allowed more points per game than they’ve scored, but they did finish 14 games over .500 at home where they managed just under 98 points per contest. In order for the home team to get the win tonight, they will have to get things done on the glass. In 2008 the Cavaliers were the best rebounding team in the league, but they have been out rebounded in each of the first two games of this series. Coach Brown’s team isn’t likely to hit for a high percentage from the floor, so if they’re not getting second chance opportunities, this could be a four game series.

Boston didn’t play a whole lot more poorly on the road this season than they did at home. Boston is 31-13 outside of Massachusetts and they outscore their opposition by over seven points a game in those contests. On the road, Boston gets things done from the 3-point line where they hit eight a game and over 39% of their attemps.

Concerning for Cavs backers has to be the fact that Cleveland has only covered 17 of 44 home games while Boston has been a covering machine on the road this season. That is, until the playoffs where Boston got swept on the road against the eighth seeded Atlanta Hawks.

Boston has shown a dominance at home in these playoffs that they have yet to show on the road. James has been embarrassed thus far and that doesn’t seem likely to continue. I think we all remember what happened in the 2007 playoffs when people were calling out Lebron in the series against Detroit. The Cavaliers have their backs against the wall and have to get a win in order to keep championship dreams alive. Tonight King James finally gets off and the Cavs make this a 2-1 series.

Free Play: Cleveland -1½ (-110)