Cleveland Cavaliers Scribbles: What a difference a few moves make! -- Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my Cleveland Cavaliers notebook after Sunday's stunning 121-99 victory over the Boston Celtics in Boston:

1. Before discussing what happened in the Celtics game, the change in the Cavs began a few days earlier. In Atlanta, Friday night. The Cavs had just made their three huge trades, shipping out six and adding four new players. None of the new guys played in Atlanta, but the Cavs beat the Hawks, 123-107.

2. That game was a preview of what was to come Sunday. With Isaiah Thomas gone, the ball was in the hands of LeBron James most of the time. Cedi Osman moved into the starting lineup. He is this team's version of the defensive-minded Matthew Dellavedova. Jose Calderon started. He was once called a "traffic cop" by general manager Koby Altman. Calderon keeps the ball and his teammates moving in the right direction.

3. The Cavs held the Hawks to 43 percent shooting. They outrebounded Atlanta, 44-42. The Hawks are a bad team (18-39). But when the Cavs were in their funk, the quality of the opponent didn't matter. They refused to hustle and defend. They were a cranky, creaky group on the court. Just remember their embarrassing 116-98 loss in Orlando last Tuesday, a game where the Cavs blew a 21-point lead.

4. In that Atlanta game, Calderon played the role newcomer George Hill assumed starting Sunday. Hill is a point guard who can make 3-pointers, be a pest on defense and not dominate the ball. That type of point guard blends well with James, dating back to when he played with Dru Joyce III at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

5. Osman brings zest to the defense. The rookie from Turkey seems to have endless energy. He did a nice job on Kent Bazemore (4-of-9 shooting, 13 points). On Sunday, he chased Kyrie Irving (7-of-14 shooting, 18 points). For now, keep him in the starting lineup. He's shooting .523 from the field and .378 on 3-pointers this season. He doesn't shoot much. But he can make some open shots.

6. The Cavs aren't running that many set plays, but there already is a sense of order with the offense. James is in control, doing his Magic Johnson triple/double imitation. His teammates are either cutting to the rim for passes or spreading out for 3-point shots. There is movement and spacing. It's fun to watch.

7. Defensively, it's about fresh legs and a renewed attitude. As Altman said on the night he made his huge trades, "It all starts with the Big Guy." He meant James. And he said James is "rejuvenated." And that was before the victories in Atlanta and Boston.

8. James is feeling it -- as in, feeling he's on a team that now can win the Eastern Conference. Newcomers Larry Nance and Hill (when healthy) can defend and are very unselfish. Rodney Hood and Jordan Clarkson can be solid on defense. They have added three 25-year-olds (Nance, Hood and Clarkson). The 31-year-old Hill should be revived after being traded from lottery bound Sacramento. Hill is a San Antonio Spurs-trained, unselfish player who is very valuable on a winning team.

9. A lot went right in Boston. Clarkson is a scorer -- averaging 14.5 points in 23 minutes a game for the Lakers. The 6-foot-5 guard is not a good 3-point shooter (.324). But he drilled 3-of-4 from long range against the Celtics. He also made some strong moves to the rim. Give him 17 points in 23 electric minutes.

10. Hood is a smooth lefty shooter and he was outrageously open all game. He could really benefit from playing with James and all the defensive attention the Cavs star receives. Hood scored 15 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

11. J.R. Smith is playing more determined defense. He is shooting with more confidence. In his last three games, he's averaging 14 points and is 10-of-18 from 3-point range. The players who were here before the deals can sense something good is happening.

12. The Cavs were desperately looking for a starting lineup that plays well early in games. Adding Osman to the mix has been a major boost because of his defense and hustle. The Cavs played well early in the season when Calderon started, and that should continue now that they have Hill. James is orchestrating everything. Can't wait to see how they play Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

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