INDEPENDENCE — Forgive the Boston Celtics for feeling a bit anxious entering Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight at TD Banknorth Garden.
Though their best-of-seven matchup with the Cavaliers is tied at 2, Cleveland has taken over the series’ statistical lead in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots, field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage.
Boston’s lone edges are in team free throw percentage and flagrant fouls, providing proof that momentum has swung to the Cavs’ side of the court.
“In order to be a championship team, you have to (win on the road),” Celtics guard Sam Cassell said. “We understand that, but right now we have to figure out how to win Game 5.”
Forward Paul Pierce shared those concerns: “It’s huge because if you go down 3-2, then you have to win on the road — and the road hasn’t been too friendly. We have to take care of business at home and hopefully come back for Game 6 and get a win.”
The Celtics’ road woes reached a historic level Monday with their 88-77 loss in Cleveland. The heavy favorites to win the world championship fell to 0-5 in away games this postseason, the worst mark by a top seed in NBA history.
But as has been noted many times, as long as Boston stays undefeated at home, it doesn’t matter how poorly it plays elsewhere. The Celtics have earned home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, meaning the Cavs must steal either Game 5 or a potential Game 7 to win the series.
“We have to play better under stress,” Boston coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers said. “They’re a good defensive team. We just have to keep working our offense and keep moving the ball. When the ball sticks, we’re not as good. And when the ball moves, we get what we want.”
In an attempt to change the Celtics’ bad luck, Rivers did not hold a scheduled pregame shootaround Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. Instead, he allowed his players to remain at their luxurious downtown hotel, going as far as to host their media availability on a private upper level.
It didn’t work, meaning Boston will travel to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday night in what will be a must win for one of the ballclubs.
“Both teams won two games at home. That’s what good teams are supposed to do,” Cavs forward LeBron James said. “Now, the better team has to win on the road.”
Six is enough
Cavs coach Mike Brown only used six players during the decisive fourth quarter of Game 4. He employed the unusual lineup of Anderson Varejao at center, Joe Smith at power forward, James at small forward, Daniel Gibson at point guard and the combination of Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak at shooting guard. The unit outscored Boston 20-12.
“Our first five has been great, so it was nice to be able to help out,” said Gibson, who made two clutch 3-pointers off the bench. “I just try to be the guy who when I’m open, I make the shots.”
On the flip side, Pierce was the only Boston starter to score in the final period, but required seven shots to put up six points. He finished with 13 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
“I had a lot of shots that I usually make, but I’m not going to really dwell on it,” Pierce said.
Wally World
Szczerbiak played a solid all-around game Monday with 14 points, two assists and a pair of 3-pointers in 31 minutes. The Miami (Ohio) product is only shooting .408 from the field during the playoffs, but that didn’t stop the Quicken Loans Arena crowd from passionately chanting his name in Game 4.
“That brought chills up and down my spine,” Szczerbiak said. “I’m not going to lie, it was tough a little bit in the regular season getting comfortable and getting acclimated. Now, come playoff time, to be playing like this, I just want to continue it.”
King vision
Game 1 of the Cavs/Celtics series was the highest-rated cable/satellite program in the country last week, according to Nielsen Media Research, drawing a 3.5 rating and 4.9 million viewers on TNT. Game 3 also fared well, ranking third among all sports offerings with a 3.2 rating and 4.7 million viewers.
Airwaves
The Cavs and WTAM 1100-AM have agreed to a five-year extension on the team’s radio broadcast rights. Their current contract was set to expire at the end of this postseason, but the new deal keeps the wine and gold on the Cleveland station through the 2012-13 season.
“We’re committed to having a championship-caliber culture in everything we do, so WTAM is the best partner to carry our games to our fans,” Cavs/Quicken Loans Arena president Len Komoroski said. “They do it like no one else can.”
Tip-ins
Varejao missed 22 straight half-court shots before sinking one during practice, while swingman Billy Thomas made his only attempt from the 47-foot line, then rubbed it in as “Wild Thing” kept firing bricks off three different backboards.
l James did not speak to the media, but filmed a commercial for USA Basketball promoting the national team’s pre-Olympics exhibition games in China.
l The franchise has launched a team-related social networking site at www.cavfanatic.com.
l Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will break Mark Price’s Cavs record by playing in his 48th career playoff game tonight. 

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