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Cavs get physical

Print | Comments () Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff January 9, 2009 08:46 PM

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The Celtics absorbed some of Cleveland's best figurative punches, as well as various other body blows, in the opening quarter of Friday night's game.

The Cavaliers took a 33-23 lead, the most first-quarter points by a Celtic opponent this season, on 13 for 18 shooting, including four dunks in half-court sets. But the Cavalier reserves started the next quarter with five misses, including a blown dunk by J.J. Hickson, allowing the Celtics to cut the deficit to 34-29 with 8:23 remaining in the half.

Kendrick Perkins converted his first four attempts, then was fouled while shooting, the Celtics calling a timeout and Perkins receiving treatment on his left shoulder from trainer Ed Lacerte and massage therapist Vlad Shulman with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. Rajon Rondo went down, holding his jaw, just before the first quarter buzzer after being challenged on a drive by LeBron James.

Celtic captain Paul Pierce was assigned to defend James, who did not convert from the field for the first 8:16 but concluded the quarter with nine points. Pierce scored only two points, on a fastbreak dunk following Rondo's pokeaway from James with 35 seconds remaining.