5 Things to Keep an Eye on: Celtics at Cavaliers, Game 3 - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

In another of our continuing series, five things to keep an eye out for tonight in the Celtics-Cavaliers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 this evening.

1. 19%: That's what LeBron James is shooting in this series. That's abysmal. Horrid. Disgusting. Wretched. Other adjectives. It's pretty simple. The Cavs will not win a game in this, or any other series with LeBron James shooting 19%. Let me put it this way. Other than James, they don't own a gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack. If the Cavs are going to crawl their way back into this pathetic wreck of a series, they need LeBron James to get back into his rhythm.

2. Acceptable Ziggy: Zydrunas Ilgauskus is averaging 20.5 points per game this series, and have been essentially the lone bright spot for the Celtics offense. The Celtics seem content to let Ilgauskus have as many baseline jumpers as he wants to, provided the rest of the team stays in the doldrums. They haven't pursued him on the pick and roll, often abandoning him to make sure LeBron doesn't turn the corner. I actually like Z's game, and appreciate a big man with range. but there are always scorers a good defensive team will allow. Z is Cleveland's.

3. Sam I Am, Green Eggs And Ham, And Other Dr. Seuss Allusions: Sam Cassell is averaging 11 points off the bench in this series. That's serious huevos in a low scoring affair in 25 minutes or less. Throw in the veteran leadership, and Sam's a big part this series has been so one sided. The Cavaliers need to find a bench contributor that can counter his production. Letting him just do his work isn't acceptable. Likewise, on defense, the Cavs need to use their youth and athleticism to attack him. There's too much standing around and watching the Celtics kick the crap out of them on the Cavs' side.

4. Still Waiting: Anybody know where Paul Pierce is? Anyone? I mean, I know 19 on 7 of 13 was pretty good in the low scoring affair that was Game 2. But I've yet to see Paul Pierce really take over a game, even for a small stretch. He's just kind of getting his. Kevin Garnett has periods where he's unstoppable. Pierce has just kind of gone in, picked up his points, played pretty good defense, and been there. You have to wonder about whether this new team is going to allow him to be the premier player he has been in the past. Not that he necessarily needs to be with this team, but playoffs require big performances, and Pierce needs to be the scoring guy for the Celtics.

5. Road Wusses: No one has won on the road in the Conference Semifinals. So it's not like anybody's really playing well on the road. But the Celtics have not won on the road in the playoffs. Yet. You know the old adage about a team winning on the road and the start of the series, so I'll spare you. But the Celtics do not want this series going 7 games, 19% or not. It's just a risky proposition to hope you can hold James powerless for 4 games in your building. Getting a win tonight will crush the Cavaliers' spirit and make it much easier to get some rest for a team that's too good to play 14 games through 2 rounds.