Celtics' Crowder Hopes To Play, But Game-Time Decision Vs. Cavaliers
BOSTON (CBS) -- Jae Crowder is a little banged up, but hopes it won't keep him of another showdown with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Celtics forward expects to play Friday night in Cleveland, despite missing Boston's morning shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. Crowder twisted his ankle late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's win over Detroit, but told reporter's he'll give it a go this evening.
"I'm a little swollen and sore this morning but I'm going to try to get it going," said Crowder, according to Mass Live's Jay King. "I don't see why not. I'm going to try to give it a shot."
Head coach Brad Stevens termed Crowder a game-time decision, but has to be hoping the forward can play Friday night. Crowder is Boston's best bet to slow down James -- if there is such a thing. If Crowder is limited with the ankle, those duties will likely fall on the contingency of Evan Turner, Jonas Jerebko and potentially Marcus Smart.
James led the way for Cleveland in the Cavs' December 15 win over the Celtics in Boston, scoring 24 points on 10-for-20 shooting. He averaged 27 points against Boston with Crowder and Turner guarding him during Cleveland's four-game sweep of the Celtics last postseason.
