This is John Lucas' winning formula for the Cavaliers: shoot 30 free throws, outrebound the opponent and play solid defense.

His team failed on all three last night, and Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker made the Cavs pay dearly behind their 29 and 23 points, respectively, as the Boston Celtics cruised to a 108-89 victory before an announced crowd of 17,748 in the season opener at Gund Arena.

Wes Person and Trajan Langdon led the Cavs with 13 points each, and Jumaine Jones and Ricky Davis each scored 12.

The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reports that the Celtics are closing in on signing guard Erick Strickland.  Strickland opted out of his $2.7 million contract with the Grizzlies in June, expecting greener pastures.  A week ago Strickland was 'willing' to sign for the $1.3 million exception, and now Bulpett speculates that he's expected to sign for the five-year veteran's minimum of $653,350.

Boston opened up their 15th roster spot a couple of days back when they waived Chris Herren.

By dropping Chris Herren, the Celtics have a 14-player roster and more flexibility.

Paul Pierce talks about what it will take for the C's to make the playoffs.

Tony Battie draws the starter's role at center, but Vitaly Potapenko and Mark Blount will get plenty of minutes as well.

In this week's NBA Notebook presented by Jeffrey Denberg of the Atlanta Journal-Consistution Washington Coach Doug Collins says High Schooler Kwame Brown is not receptive to coaching and is not in shape to play, to which Brown responded that Collins misreads his body language and that he is doing everything Collins has asked him to do.  Could there be trouble in paradise already?

In other news Celtics coach Jim O'Brien is impressed with the play of point guard Kenny Anderson, yes, Kenny Anderson!  "I think Kenny is in great shape. He really has committed himself defensively, and he has continued to do a wonderful job of getting the ball into the paint."

Down in Phoenix Stephon Marbury just cannot get over New Jersey, choosing to have yet another dig at the franchise stating "We have a better team, that's obvious to me".

Review of how Boston's three rookies are progressing.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Charlotte Hornets have waived forward Chris Porter only one day after acquiring him in a three team trade from the Golden State Warriors.  The reason Porter was waived, according to the Hornets, was because Porter missed his flight Friday morning.

In other NBA news Magic center Andrew DeClerq will miss 2-3 weeks with a sprained ankle, Antoine Walker's 32 points overshadows Michael Jordan's effort as the Wizards lose again, and a recap of the Gatling three team trade.

Sporting News column about the prognosis for the Celtics this season.

It doesn't matter if the Celtics are ready or not, the season is about to begin.