Celtics notebook

Defense is not keeping up

Without Garnett, transition lagging

By Frank Dell'Apa

Globe Staff / March 6, 2009

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In the Celtics' 115-111 win Wednesday night, the Nets scored more points in regulation than any other Boston opponent this season. The Celtics have surrendered 99 or more points in four of the last six games. And their defense will receive an even tougher test when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.

"Especially in transition," coach Doc Rivers said. "You've got Earl Campbell bringing the ball up the court full speed, you better get back as a team. We're a better defensive team and we know that."

This might have been one of the few times Cleveland's LeBron James has been compared to a powerful running back of the '70s and '80s. But that was an impression James left on the Celtics as he barreled upcourt during a 98-83 Cavaliers win in January. And the Celtics had Kevin Garnett for that contest. Garnett (knee strain) will miss this game and likely be out Sunday against Orlando.

"We don't have one of our main go-to guys, the Defensive Player of the Year," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said. "But we've just got to find another way, like we have been. Cleveland right now is playing extremely good basketball. They are on top of the conference, so we have our work cut out for us. Just trying to hold down LeBron is work in itself, let alone the guys around him, who are playing very well.

"We've got to bring our 'A' game. If we play like this against Cleveland, we won't be happy in the locker room. The defense is going to get better as we implement the new guys and as we get the other guys playing more time. Of course, when you don't have Kevin in there, you drop off tremendously - you're talking about a guy who covers everyone out there, one of the best defensive players to ever play the game. But we just have to make it up in other ways. We know we have the mental toughness, it's just about challenging the guys who are ready to step up and not asking them to take over and do what KG does."

The implications of tonight's game are far-reaching. Home-court advantage in the playoffs could be at stake.

"We've got a chance to make up some ground," Pierce said. "This is a big game for us - we're trying to win home court. This is a tough part of the schedule, but we play them and Orlando back to back, so to lose [against the Nets] would have been devastating. We have to understand what it means because if both teams end up with the same record, it's going to come down to games like this.

"We just want them to understand this is our home court. We have to protect our building and we're trying to win the season series."

Revisionist history

Joe Smith, reacquired by the Cavaliers after being bought out of his contract in Oklahoma City, returns to Boston for the first time since the Celtics defeated Cleveland in the playoffs. "I think if the ball would have bounced in our favor on one or two possessions, the outcome could have been different," Smith said. "Unfortunately, it didn't. They went on and won. That's something that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. That was another key aspect in me wanting to come back here and try and get that taste out of my mouth." . . . James on the Celtics' acquisitions of Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore: "It helps with their depth. Steph and Mikki will do a really good job for those guys. We will see the rest of the season how they were able to fit in. But it was good for them." . . . Said Cleveland's Ben Wallace, "I played with Mikki and I like Mikki - he can do a little bit of everything. I think he can help out a lot. And with Steph, if he can leave all the nonsense in New York, he definitely is going to be a big help for them. He's a true backup for [Rajon] Rondo at the point guard position. Eddie House, he's a shooter. He doesn't want to handle the ball. He wants to go down, spot up, and knock down shots. That helps them out."

Clinch a cinch

The Cavaliers and Celtics have already clinched playoff spots . . . Cleveland coach Mike Brown said the Celtics will have difficult decisions about playing Marbury when Tony Allen (thumb surgery) returns: "They're veteran guys. Steph is capable of going off at any time for 20-25. Having that threat is something you can't replace. They have a strong enough team with KG to be able to squash any personalities that might go sideways. It will be interesting to see when Tony Allen gets back and they have to make a decision - 'Well, are we going to play Tony, play Steph?' Eddie's been playing very well. You can only play a couple of guys at that guard spot because Rondo is going to play minutes, Ray [ Allen] is going to play minutes, and Paul Pierce is going to play minutes. You only got a few guys that can play consistent minutes, and Eddie House is going to be one of them. Is it Tony Allen or Stephon Marbury at the end of the day? At least it gives them options."

Marc J. Spears of the Globe staff contributed to this report.