Ball is in their court

And that is why the Celtics must remain on guard against James tonight.

While they did a commendable job defending him in Games 1 and 2, now that the series has shifted here for Games 3 and 4, the Celtics must be prepared for a breakout performance by James, whose struggles in the first two games at TD Banknorth Garden included an 0-for-10 effort from the 3-point arc and 17 turnovers, including 10 in Game 1.

"I just want him to continue to be aggressive," Brown said. "Going back and watching tape, he had some open looks. He's just got to continue, without hesitation, to try and knock 'em down. I just think some of it has to do with him not being aggressive when he's shooting it.

"They're really not blitzing him hard, or double-teaming him hard, most of the time. He's just got to come off and he's got to make a conscious effort that, 'OK, I'm coming off to shoot.' I don't care if he's behind the 3-point line or in front of it, 'If I got to get up 10 threes, then I'm going to get up 10 threes.' Whatever it takes."

Whatever it takes. That could very well be the mantra for King James and his Court as they attempt to fight their way back from a 2-0 series deficit. It was instructive, however, for the Cavaliers to have dealt with this scenario in last year's Eastern Conference finals when they dropped the first two games against the Pistons but rallied to win the series.

"Of course, it helps," James said after Thursday night's 89-73 setback in which he scored 21 points on 6-for-24 shooting and 9 for 13 from the foul line. "To be in that situation before, you know how to adjust. This is a very similar team to Detroit. They have so many weapons, defensively they're a very good team, and we found a way to win Game 3 [vs. the Pistons]."