A preview of Friday's Boston Celtics-Cleveland Cavaliers game

Served up to the Lakers on Christmas, the Celtics now must undergo the Ohio version, which has received less attention but doesn't look like a holiday, either.

With a 17-0 home record, LeBron James, a tough defense and an even better attack (with James' average down 2.5 points to 27.5, they've gone from No. 24 to No. 7 in offense), the Cavaliers are already a trendy pick in the East.

The new archrivals already dislike each other. On opening night, the Cavaliers stayed in their dressing room while the Celtics got their rings, then jumped out to an 11-point lead, bent on ruining the party, before the Celtics won, 90-85.

Highlighting the Celtics' challenge, they play the Cavaliers two more times after this and Orlando three more while the Lakers await a challenge in the West.