Even without LeBron, Cavs knock off Celtics

The Cleveland Cavaliers did something Miami's "Big Three" couldn't do - knock off the defending champion Boston Celtics. Granted, Boston took to the road to play Cleveland after a hard-fought emotional opening night win against Miami, but you can bet the local Cleveland media will be highlighting this victory tomorrow morning. In their first game without LeBron James, the Cavs held on to win and gave fans a belief that life will be okay without the two-time defending MVP.

J.J. Hickson won the starting gig at power forward over veteran Antawn Jamison and showed exactly why as he scored with his back to the basket and also knocking down mid-range jumpers against one of the best defensive forwards in the NBA, Kevin Garnett. Daniel Gibson add 16 points- all in the second half - as the Cavs made some clutch plays down the stretch to hold off Rajon Rondo and the Celtics.

By Corey Ruff - 10-27-10