Brown doesn't believe in magic

CLEVELAND -- With last night's 94-82 win over the Celtics, the Cavaliers' magic number for making the playoffs for the first time since 1998 is three.

Any combination of Cleveland wins and Chicago losses adding up to three will clinch a trip to the postseason for rookie coach Mike Brown and superstar LeBron James. But don't talk to Brown about magic numbers and playoff berths with almost a month left in the regular season. He wants Cleveland to stay sharp mentally and physically, which made facing an Eastern Conference rival with playoff hopes of it own -- like Boston's -- the perfect matchup.

''I promise you right now, I don't even think about [the magic number]," said Brown. ''I feel like we have a good chance of making the playoffs.

''I still want our guys to think, because I know I think this way, that every game is important for us. We need to try to win every single game. We've never been to the playoffs before as a unit, as a head coach. This thing is serious for us to take it one game at a time."

The Celtics entertained and educated themselves by watching tape of the last time they played the Cavaliers. The double-overtime instant classic featured Paul Pierce and James trying to match each other point for point. Delonte West came up two assists shy of a double-double. But that isn't what most people remember about West in that game. James ''posterized" West near the end of regulation, dunking over the point guard. It was a move that even had members of the Celtics bench standing. It also proved a popular play to rewind and watch prior to last night's tipoff.

But even after watching the James dunk and receiving some good-natured ribbing from his teammates, West preferred to erase the moment from his memory bank.

''I just saw two big rebounds," said West. ''I saw that we tied the game up to send it to overtime. I ain't seen no dunk. I don't know what you're talking about. If I knew what you were talking about, I would help you out. That's what it is. Selective memory."

Michael Olowokandi did not travel with the Celtics to Cleveland but rumors circulated before the game that the veteran big man, who is recovering after some recent dental work, tried to catch a commercial flight to Cleveland in time for tipoff. ''He may be on his way," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said before the game. ''We don't actually know. If he comes, he'll make it by halftime by the earliest. He is trying to get here. He was hoping to get on a flight at 4:30 or 5. I told [trainer] Eddie [Lacerte] it'd be stupid to come. But you never know. At least he can put a uniform on. [Zydrunas] Ilgauskas is a big human being. We may need him." As it turned out, Olowokandi never made it to the arena. Team spokesman Brian Gleason was not sure if Olowokandi even made it to Cleveland. In any event, the Celtics expect him at practice this afternoon . . . Ryan Gomes took advantage of poor shooting by both teams and collected 15 rebounds to go with his 9 points. Rivers was particularly pleased with how Gomes persevered through his offensive struggles (3 for 12) last night. The coach was heard cheering for Gomes when he made his second field goal in the third quarter. ''I was proud of Ryan in his second half," said Rivers. ''I thought he was really struggling. He was hesitant on his jump shot. For the first time, he showed signs of lacking confidence for a minute. Then, he came out in the second half and made his shot. A sign of a very good player is one who will still make an impact on the game even when he's not shooting [well]." . . . Al Jefferson, nursing a sprained ankle, remained in Boston.