Eastern Conference Preview TONIGHT: Cleveland Cavaliers (48-12) at Boston Celtics (48-14)

Team	Record	Standings	PF	PA	Road/Home	Streak	L10
Cleveland	48-12	1st Central / 1st East	100.0	90.3	Road 21-11	Won 4	9-1
Boston	48-14	1st Atlantic / 2nd East	101.7	92.6	Home 25-5	Won 1	6-4

Both the Cavs and Celtics were the first two teams to clinch playoff berths, but despite the fact that Boston's favored by 1.5 points in Vegas, there is no longer a clear favorite in the Eastern Conference.

Home-court advantage should play an important factor when the East’s best teams meet again in the postseason, and a Cavaliers victory Friday would give them a three-game edge on the Celtics in the loss column. The home team (which is Boston tonight) has won the last 14 meetings including all seven games of the teams’ second-round playoff series last post-season.

Garnett's absence may become an excuse for the Celtics if they lose tonight, even though not having him could put added pressure on the Cavaliers to come away with the first road victory in this series in 15 games.

Not only are the Celtics adjusting to not having KG, they are also adjusting to having a pair of new faces in their rotation after signing Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury in late February.

Cleveland isn't the same team that lost to Boston in last year's post-season. They've added All-Star guard Mo Williams who has become a solid TWO in the One-Two punch of the Cavs (with LeBron being the ONE, obviously). Cleveland is also going to be adjusting to their style of play as they will likely have a new player in uniform Friday. Joe Smith, who was waived by Oklahoma City, should be a nice replacement for Ben Wallace and allow Big Z to get some bench time during the stretch run of the season. Smith averaged 7.6 points on 62.2 percent shooting for the Cavs against the Celtics in the playoffs last season.

MY PREDICTION:

Cleveland - 98

Boston - 93

James and Pierce will do battle -- tonight on ESPN!