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CLEVELAND (AP) -Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace was in the starting lineup for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night and will attempt to play despite occasional dizziness caused by an inner ear infection.
Wallace missed the morning shootaround, and following the workout coach Mike Brown said his best interior defender "most likely will not" play against the Celtics.
However, Wallace had no problems while warming up, and about one hour before tipoff said he would try to play.
Wallace started Game 2 but played less than 4 minutes before leaving when he became dizzy. He had tests on Friday at the Cleveland Clinic.
Wallace said the symptoms have been tough to tolerate.
"It's like I'm in a wash cycle," he said. "My head starts spinning from time to time."
The Cavs described his ailment as a combination of allergies and an infection in his left ear.
If Wallace wasn't able to play, Anderson Varejao would have taken his place. The Brazilian made 13 starts during the regular season, averaging 7.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. Varejao's primary defensive assignment will be Boston's Kevin Garnett, who scored 28 points in Game 1 but just 13 in Game 2.
Varejao played 33 minutes in Game 2, scoring three points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Celtics won the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home and will be looking for their first road win of this postseason.
In the first two games, Boston's defense held Cavs star LeBron James to 19 percent shooting (8-of-42).
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