2010 NBA Playoffs: Cavs Comeback Too Little Too Late in Game Two Loss

It looks like LeBron and the Cavaliers partied a little too hard after his MVP ceremony yesterday in Akron.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were out-hustled, out-manned, and out-played by the Boston Celtics in game two of the best of seven series.

Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace were the main contributors in the thrashing of the Cleveland Cavaliers in front of their home crowd.

Rondo dished out 19 assists, while Wallace hit three three-pointers en route to his 17-point contribution off the bench.

The "Big Three" were held in check for the majority of the night as Garnett and Pierce often found themselves in foul trouble, however they did manage to combine for 54 of the Celtics 104 points.

The tale of this game was the constant lack of energy, focus, and aggressiveness of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James, as far as I can remember, did not take the ball to the hole more than once prior to the fourth quarter.

He looked uncomfortable at times, as it became more apparent that his elbow was bothering him much more than in game one.

The rest of the Cavaliers' starting lineup must have forgot that game two was on Monday night because they combined for a dismal 35 points.

After an outstanding performance in game one, Mo Williams returned to his disappearing act ways going 1-9 from the field and only scoring four points.

The Cavaliers allowed the Boston Celtics to steal one on their home court, and it looks like the momentum is swinging that way as the two teams head back to Boston for game three on Friday.

The one bright spot for the Cavaliers was the play of J.J. Hickson off the bench, and I hope that Mike Brown finally gives in and returns him to the 25-30 minute role that he was producing nicely in the last three months of the season.

Like I said during the series against the Bulls, if the Cavaliers hope to advance past the more veteran teams in the playoffs, they will have to shake off the slow starts that have been their forte thus far in the playoffs.

They were able to overcome an early deficit in game one, but unable to conquer the 25-point hole they dug for themselves in game two.

My only hope is that the whole team comes ready to play at tip-off in game three, and realizes that you are allowed to play basketball in the first half too.