Written by Jesse Lamovsky

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Remember Opening Night three months ago, when the Cavaliers rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit to stun the Boston Celtics?

Yeah, neither do the rest of us.

The halcyon beginning of the 2010-11 Cavaliers season might as well have taken place in another century. The good feeling of that autumn night has long since dissipated. In its place is the death march of one of the worst seasons we’ve seen in this town for a long time, out of any team.

Cleveland’s 112-95 loss Tuesday night to the Celtics in the New Garden is typical of the stretch that has seen the Cavaliers lose eighteen in a row- one short of the franchise single-season record set in 1982- and an almost unbelievable 28 of 29. For the twenty-fifth time since this slide into the abyss began (November 30 against Boston, just in case you’re wondering) Cleveland gave up more than one hundred points. For the eighteenth time the Cavaliers were beaten by double-digits.

Different opponent, different city; same beat-down.

Problems began for the Cavaliers in a familiar place- at the three-point line. Cleveland is by far the worst in the NBA at defending the three-point shot and not surprisingly, the Celtics were deadly effective from deep, draining 11-of-24 from beyond the arc, including 7-of-14 in the decisive first half when Boston raced out to a 67-45 lead. Four Celtics- Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Nate Robinson and Von Wafer- hit two or more from downtown. All of Pierce’s 24 points came in the first half.

Also typical was the first-half run that put the game away for Boston. After Cleveland took a 25-24 lead with 2:06 remaining in the opening period the Celtics ripped off a 43-20 surge to close out the half, hitting 5-of-10 three-point attempts and grabbing five offensive rebounds along the way. Meanwhile the Cavaliers were falling apart, shooting 8-of-25 (a cool 32 percent) and committing five turnovers. By halftime it was all over but the shouting. Cleveland played respectably in the second half, outscoring the Bostonians 50-45, but of course it didn’t matter anyway.

As is again typical of a Cavalier opponent, Boston’s offensive output was virtually pristine. The Celtics shot an even 50 percent from the field, dished out 29 assists and committed just nine turnovers. Seven C’s scored in double figures, with Pierce’s 24 points leading the way. Ten Boston players checked into the fray, and all ten got in the scoring column.

Cleveland’s offensive numbers weren’t bad either. The Cavaliers shot an acceptable 46.2 percent, hit 5-of-11 three-pointers and had 25 assists. They also hung tough on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 45-43. Seven members of the Wine & Gold tallied in double figures, led by fifteen points from Christian Eyenga. But the Cavaliers also hit just 16-of-25 free throws and committed fifteen turnovers, far too many against a team the caliber of Boston.

At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matter what the offensive statistics look like if you can’t play defense. And Cleveland can’t- not against the Celtics, not against anyone. And thus, they can’t win- not against the Celtics, not against anyone. That’s why they’re 8-37.

Next: Friday at 7:30, when the Cavaliers entertain the Nuggets at the Q.