Raks New England Sports Blog

According to the Boston Globe, big man Ben Wallace is doubfut for game 3:

Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for Game 3 of Cleveland’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.

Wallace started but played less than 4 minutes in Thursday night’s game before he became dizzy and asked to come out. He staggered to the bench and had to be assisted by his teammates before the Cavs’ training staff stepped in.

Wallace underwent a series of tests at the Cleveland Clinic on Friday. The team said the defensive stopper could be upgraded but it was “best case, 50-50″ that Wallace would play Saturday in Game 3.

Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can’t go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.

Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms.

Its little things that win playoff games and Wallace does those little things, hustle, offensive rebounds and defense. With him out that propells Verajo into the starting line up and makes the Cavs weak bench 1 man smaller. With him being out it Could be a hit to the head for the Cavs.

Obviously if you are reading this blog you probaly watched the game so I will rarely go into recaps about games but I will give my two cents.

19 Points 13 Rebounds 2 Assists  7-13 from the Field, 3 steals and stellar defense and electricity.

These are not the stats from Lebron, Pierce, Garnett or any other starter but rather the combined stats of two bench players whom came up huge in last nights win, giving the celts the momemtum, clutch points and rebounds, defense and hustle to grab the lead and eventually the win. These two men are Leon Powe and James Posey.

Again it was Poseys long arms and menacing defense who bothered Lebron and got in his head where he was forcing shots, turning the ball over (7 times) and missing layups.  Posey also came through with a huge 3 late in the second quater and a steal off Lebron leading to a dunk where the Celts took the lead, got the crowd on its feet and never looked back.

It was Powes hustle and hardwork on the offensive boards (4 off boards).  With Perkins in the game Illgauskus scored 12 points going 6-6 from the field and Kendrick was not able to defend vs Illgauskus’ outside pop out jumper. Powe came into the game and was scrambling all over the place sometimes playing vs Illgauskus who only scored 7 more pts the rest of the game, sometimes hedging a disrupting Lebrons jumper. I think Powe needs to get more PT in this series, Kendrick can not get out to Illgauskus jump shot and is not bringing the intensity as Powe does.

Without the two P’s the C’s might have gotten an L last night. Up 2-0, need to steal one in Clevland and the bench will have a huge impact.