Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Officials: #26 Bob Delaney, #38 Michael Smith, #66 Haywoode Workman
Attendance: 20562
J.J. Hickson scored 21 points to lead six players in double figures Wednesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers began life without LeBron James by surprising the Boston Celtics, 95-87.
If the Cavaliers miss James - who left after seven seasons and two MVP awards - it didn’t show. They staved off the Celtics, limiting the defending Eastern Conference champions to three points over the final 4:39.
Daniel Gibson scored 16 points, Ramon Sessions added 14 and Anderson Varejao grabbed 10 rebounds for Cleveland, who lost to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
Rajon Rondo had 18 points and nine assists for the Celtics (1-1), who were coming off an emotional season-opening home win vs. James and the Miami Heat on Tuesday.
Reserve Glen Davis scored 14 points, Paul Pierce added 13 and Ray Allen 12 for Boston. Pierce and Allen combined to miss all six shots they attempted in the final four minutes.
| Boston | Cleveland | |
| Rajon Rondo 18 | Scoring | J.J. Hickson 21 |
| Rajon Rondo 9 | Assists | Daniel Gibson 8 |
| Kevin Garnett 15 | Rebounds | Anderson Varejao 10 |
| Nate Robinson 5 | Free Throws Made | Daniel Gibson 6 |
| Rajon Rondo 3 | Steals | Ramon Sessions 2 |
| Kevin Garnett 1 | Blocks | Daniel Gibson 1 |
| Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
| Boston | 87 | 47.2 | 3-12 | 16-21 | 24 | 38 | 1 | 8 | 19 |
| Cleveland | 95 | 44.4 | 6-20 | 17-21 | 24 | 37 | 4 | 5 | 15 |
- Cleveland will play their next game on the road against Toronto. The Cavaliers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
- Boston will play their next game at home against New York. The Celtics have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.