Cavaliers Down Listless Celtics, 112-84

RICHFIELD, Ohio--The Cleveland Cavaliers' sudden dominance of the Boston Celtics has nothing to do with the Cavaliers' being superior athletes, center Brad Daugherty said.

"They have good athletes, too," Daugherty said after he matched a career high with 17 rebounds in a 112-84 Cleveland victory last night. "They have great athletes. You don't play in the NBA on smarts and savvy."

The Celtics, however, have dropped six of their last eight games against Cleveland, and the Cavaliers' 28-point victory equalled their best ever over Boston. Cleveland also beat the Celtics by 28 in a March 1977 game.

"I think what we've been able to do is play good transition defense and run, with the defense working hard for steals and blocked shots," Daugherty said.

The Cavaliers' defense limited Boston to 34 percent shooting.