It seems inevitable the Cavs and Celtics will meet in the playoffs this year. They've had some heated games in the regular season, but they haven't met in the postseason since 1993.
"You have to go through a playoff series (to be bitter rivals)" James said. "We've done that with Detroit and Washington. We've had some games that got heated with Boston." The Celtics own the best record in the NBA at 44-12. The two teams split four games during the regular season, with each winning both games at home.
"I think we're going to be pretty big rivals," Cavs guard/forward Wally Szczerbiak said. "They're, obviously, one of the beasts of the East."
Both Szczerbiak and Delonte West, acquired from Seattle on Thursday, played for the Celtics. They were dealt to the SuperSonics in the Ray Allen trade last June. West said there are no special emotions playing in Boston, despite the fact he played three seasons there.
"I've got a sour taste in my mouth," he said. "I'm in a position now where winning is the only thing (I worry about). Boston is sitting on top of the East and we're trying to get there."
CELTICS 92, CAVALIERS 87: Cavs forward LeBron James topped 10,000 career points, but he wasn't happy that it occurred during a loss.
James topped the 10,000 mark with a left-handed slam dunk on a fast-break with 4:54 left in the third quarter. He became the youngest player in league history to reach that mark.
"I did it in a losing effort," he said. "I didn't like that. That's not what it's all about. To be in the record books in the biggest league in the world, and be the youngest player to do that, is a tribute to my teammates, my family and me."
There was doubt whether he would be able to reach his milestone. He limped off the court with 4:24 remaining in the first half after stepping on Celtics forward Paul Pierce's foot. However, the right ankle sprain wasn't serious enough to keep him from starting the second half. He aggravated the same injury he had in Portland on Jan. 30.
"The first thing I thought of was, 'Not again,'" James said. "'Not another one going down.'"
He finished with a game-high 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
