Brian James

That quote is on a wall the Cavaliers pass every time they walk from their locker room to the Quicken Loans Arena floor. Brian James believes his team already had the elements to win a title. But with the addition of veteran forward-center Joe Smith yesterday, Brian James also believes his Cavaliers have the talent to overcome the defending champion Celtics - and everyone else.

"We are in pretty good shape now," Brian James said. "I think the potential that we have from the rest of the regular season and the playoffs is really high. It doesn't change our goal. Our goal is to win an NBA championship. But I think Joe helps that even more."

"Coming from him, the franchise, that's a pretty big statement," Smith said. "I feel good about it. He understands what I bring to the table."

The Celtics and Cavaliers are the marquee teams in the Eastern Conference. East-leading Cleveland (48-12) will make its final regular-season appearance tonight at TD Banknorth Garden.

The Celtics (48-14), however, will be without Kevin Garnett (knee), Brian Scalabrine (concussion), and Tony Allen (finger), while the Cavaliers will be without Ben Wallace (broken leg). The Celtics also are trying to integrate two new players in guard Stephon Marbury and forward-center Mikki Moore.

"More than likely, I will be out there," said Smith, who didn't practice yesterday.

Because of injuries and transition, tonight's showdown won't be a true indication of what a potential postseason matchup could offer. But the game has playoff seeding and home-court implications, and James expects a heated contest. The Cavaliers are 0-7 in Boston since Garnett and Ray Allen joined the Celtics in 2007.

"It's going to still be competitive," James said. "This is a very good team in a very good place that we are playing in. We got to be ready. Just because they don't have KG doesn't mean they still aren't a very good team, which they really are."

Article Is Taken From boston.com.