Cavs vs. Celtics Game 2 preview

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals: The Cavaliers limit the Celtics to 76 points, hold Ray Allen scoreless for the first time in 852 games and hold Paul Pierce to 4 points on 2-for-14 shooting.

Easy win for Cleveland, right?

Wrong. Not when the Cavs’ lone superstar, LeBron James, shoots 2-for-18 for 12 points and commits 10 turnovers.

James says he won't miss baskets like he did in the series opener for tonight’s Game 2 in Boston, with the Celtics 8.5-point betting favorites (over/under: 177.5) on WagerWeb.com.

"I can't play no worse than I did (Tuesday)," James said. "You don't expect those guys to have off nights like that. I don't expect myself to have an off night like I did."

The Cavs shot only 30.7 as a team; James has made fewer than two baskets just one, on Dec. 29, 2004. He has a tendency to bounce back strong, however. After his three worst games in the regular season, he came back to average 33 points in the following games. Furthermore, James been held to 12 points or less in consecutive games just twice, both times in his rookie season.

In the Eastern Conference Finals last season, LeBron scored 10 and 19 points the first two games against the Pistons. The next three games, he had 32, 25 and 48.

"I don't expect Paul and Ray to have the struggles, and I don't expect LeBron to have struggles either," Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said. "So I think we're in for a good Game 2."

Perkins asserted himself on the defensive end in Game 1, finishing with a pair of blocks and 10 rebounds (12 rebounds overall), while chipping in 7 points.

After reviewing the game video, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said some of the team’s standard offensive principles of ball movement and of general rotation broke down in the 76-72 loss.

"We have to space the floor better, and use our spacing rules. Too many times the ball came to a standstill," Brown said.

The only Cav who seemed to be able to find spots to get shots off was center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who tied his playoff career high with 22 points. Many of them came on jumpers when he set up opposite James.

The past two years against the Eastern Conference in the playoffs, the Cavs are 5-1 after a loss. The only time they did not follow a loss with a win came in Detroit last year, when James missed a basket with a chance to tie in the final minute.

On the injury front, Boston coach Doc Rivers said James Posey didn't practice Wednesday because of a right hip injury and rib injury, but is expected to play tonight in Game 2.

Cleveland is 2-2 on the road this postseason, while the Celtics are 5-0 at home.

Betting trends: Cavs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games and last 5 road games. ... Celtics are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games. ... Under is 11-1 in Cavs’ last 12 conference semifinal games. ... Cavs are 5-1-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Boston. ... Under is 10-2 in Celtics last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.