GDT: Mavs at Celtics - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

StackAttack · 01-31-2008, 07:18 AM

My first GDT. Hopefully it goes well.

Mavericks-Celtics Preview
By DAN PIERINGER, STATS Writer
Posted Jan 30 2008 2:01PM

he offseason acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sparked the Boston Celtics' dramatic turnaround. The Celtics hope the absence of those players doesn't have the opposite effect.

After surviving their first game without both Garnett and Allen, the short-handed Celtics face a bigger challenge as they host the surging Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

Garnett missed his second consecutive game Tuesday with a strained abdominal muscle, and Allen was sidelined with the flu, but the Celtics (35-8) cruised to a 117-87 win over reeling Miami.

Beating Dallas (31-13) likely won't be as easy if Boston is again without two of its top three scorers. Allen is day-to-day, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday that he'll be careful not to rush Garnett back into the lineup.

"If he can play Thursday, we'll play him," Rivers said. "But again, it's got to be almost 100 percent. That's the way I look at those types of injuries."

Garnett and Allen joined the Celtics in offseason trades, helping the team bounce back from last season's 24-58 finish to post the best record in the league so far in 2007-08.

Dallas, which had the league's best record last season at 67-15, has won 13 of 14 games against Boston since the 2000-01 season, including seven in a row since falling 105-103 on the road on Dec. 17, 2003.

This season's Mavericks have won 12 of 14, including four in a row. They opened a four-game road trip with a 103-84 victory over Memphis on Monday, and meet the three division leaders in the Eastern Conference - Boston, Detroit and Orlando - in their next three games.

"It's going to be a tough trip," said forward Dirk Nowitzki, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds Monday as Dallas improved to 11-10 on the road. "Boston is the best team right now in the league. Best record. We all know what Detroit is like at home. They're tough to beat. It's going to be a fun trip. Very tough."

Like Boston, Dallas is without one of its top offensive options with starting point guard Devin Harris expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks with a bone bruise on his left ankle. Jerry Stackhouse, one of the team's top reserves, also was sidelined Monday with a strained right hamstring and is considered day-to-day.

"We pride ourselves whenever we have a man down, banding together and really putting together some great efforts," said Jason Terry, who has replaced Harris in the starting lineup.

That philosophy is familiar to the Celtics, who got season-high point totals from Leon Powe (25), Rajon Rondo (23), Eddie House (20) and Tony Allen (20) in Tuesday's win. Paul Pierce, Boston's leading scorer at 20.1 points per game, was held to seven points while going 2-for-9 from the field.

"One of the things that we talked about before the game is that no one was going to be Ray Allen and no one is going to be Kevin Garnett," Rivers said. "But all of them could do a little extra."

Pierce is averaging 28.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in the last five meetings with the Mavericks, while Nowitzki has averaged 27.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in those games - all Dallas wins.

Go Mavs, I still don't know how I'm going to handle the LOST situation.

LSMF · 01-31-2008, 07:42 AM

This is a great time to see if the Mavs have become mentally tougher, they will be playing the best team in the NBA on the road and they also will be shorthanded. If the mavs can pull this one out then I will be very proud, even if they lose but play their hearts out I will be happy.

dirt_dobber · 01-31-2008, 08:21 AM

From a Celtic fan perspective (not me)
[I do remember the days I dreaded playing the Bird era Celtics -- 'tis nice to a Mav Fan]
================================================== ==
Us vs. Them: Dallas Mavericks
Posted by Ben Larsen January 30, 2008 17:07PM
http://blog.masslive.com/parquetprid...mavericks.html

Well, the Celtics get their first look at the Dallas Mavericks Thursday evening and to be completely honest with you, it couldn't have come at a worse time.

Sure, the Celtics dismantled the Heat Tuesday despite the absence of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. But the Mavericks are an actual basketball team. And that team could exploit the Celtics without their second and third best scoring options.

With the Mavs on a roll lately, winning 12-of-14 and four straight, the Celtics will need contributions from just about everyone. But that should be no problem considering four players (Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Eddie House and James Posey) all hit for at least 20 points against the Heat.

At any rate, this will be a measuring stick. If the Garnett and Allen-less Celtics can handle Dallas then maybe we've come farther than we thought.
.

dirt_dobber · 01-31-2008, 08:24 AM

Mavericks at Celtics 7:00 TNT
...........W-L........PF.........PA........HOME.....ROAD.....ST K.......L10
DAL....31-13.....101.1......96.0........20-31.......1-10........W4........8-2
BOS...35-8........99.3.......88.2........19-41........6-4.........W1........6-4

TripleDipping · 01-31-2008, 09:44 AM

Playing Boston without Garnett and Allen kinda takes the wind out of this game BUT...

The rest of the Celtics will be pumped to play the Mavs for the first time this season. This might turn into an interesting game.

I'm predicting the Celtics scrubs playing out of their minds tonight and Mavs pulling away late to win it by 8.

minkbarn · 01-31-2008, 09:57 AM

If Garnett plays you have to give the edge to Boston.

If Garnett is out, it's hard to see the Mavs losing this one.

Powe and Big Baby have been effective, but don't have the height to deal with Nowitzki. The Celtics absolutely need Garnett to cancel out Dirk.

DavidDaMonkey · 01-31-2008, 10:35 AM

This games actually bodes very well for us. The Celtic's are a great team, so we shouldn't have the problem of not showing up to play, but they are missing two key players so we should have the advantage. Although, we are missing some keys too....

dude1394 · 01-31-2008, 10:40 AM

Mavs take the the celtics lucky charms. 105-97

MavsX · 01-31-2008, 11:01 AM

let's beat these bitches!

AxdemxO · 01-31-2008, 11:23 AM

Really good game

Go Mavs...tough one

WraithXx · 01-31-2008, 11:24 AM

what a bad day to have a 7pm class.....

Lost season premiere, and Mavs @ Celtics

F*** THIS!

minkbarn · 01-31-2008, 11:55 AM

Garnett and Ray Allen are Game Time Decisions (That's GTD in the GDT.) Either or both could possibly play.

fluid.forty.one · 01-31-2008, 11:57 AM

GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!

minkbarn · 01-31-2008, 12:01 PM

Scratch that last statement. Garnett is definitely out tonight. It was just reported by Marc Spears of the Boston Globe.

fluid.forty.one · 01-31-2008, 12:05 PM

dang, I wanted them at full strength.

Underdog · 01-31-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude1394

Mavs take the the celtics lucky charms. 105-97

They're always after me Lucky Charms!

LonghornDub · 01-31-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

dang, I wanted them at full strength.

I do too as long as we're at full strength. Since we dont have Harris or Stack, I'm glad KG is out.

mavsgirl56 · 01-31-2008, 12:15 PM

Those of you worried about missing Lost...the answer is a DVR...go get one...NOW!!
GO MAVS!!!!!

Flacolaco · 01-31-2008, 12:19 PM

They're still dangerous, and we have no Harris or Stack. I think they are really going to get up for this one.

Be ready, Mavericks.

minkbarn · 01-31-2008, 12:35 PM

With Garnett out I'd actually start Posey on Dirk, but the Celtics have been starting Scalabrine in place of KG, then subbing in Leon Powe who has played great lately (though the Mavs tall front line is not a good matchup for him).

Rondo's been hurting, but if he's healthy he's lightning quick and really dangerous with the drive and with steals.

WraithXx · 01-31-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavsgirl56

Those of you worried about missing Lost...the answer is a DVR...go get one...NOW!!
GO MAVS!!!!!

I've already scheduled Lost for DVR.

do I still have to go get one?

LonghornDub · 01-31-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

They're still dangerous, and we have no Harris or Stack. I think they are really going to get up for this one.

Be ready, Mavericks.

No more dangerous than we are.

cjbcool · 01-31-2008, 01:18 PM

Rondo will step up for the Celtics. He is very active on Defense. Long arms for point guard. Can be a threat on Offense if you let him. He will be playing hurt( ankle and back) but I think he will come ready to play. Eddie house did have a good game in mop up duty vs. the Heat, but he will not get that opportunity against us. Eddie house has always been a quick shooter. He shoots alot of threes. Rather the team is up or down. We need to make sure we rebound.
Paul Pierce is still a good player, but he can't do it all. With this game, I think so goes Pierce, so goes the Celtics.
The young 4 and 5s have been playing well for them, but we have a huge edge in this department with KG out. Diop needs to be active this game. Our two headed Center will have a good game. Plenty of opportunities Offensively and Defensively.
Dirk should have a great game. No one will contest his shot.

GermanDunk · 01-31-2008, 02:36 PM

Would be more interesting to see them with Garnett and Allen. So we can´t find out who´s the cook and who´s the waiter in the league.

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nikeball · 01-31-2008, 02:53 PM

"It's going to be a tough trip," said forward Dirk Nowitzki, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds Monday as Dallas improved to 11-10 on the road. "Boston is the best team right now in the league. Best record. We all know what Detroit is like at home. They're tough to beat. It's going to be a fun trip. Very tough."

most people find this trip scary..but Dirk finds it fun. nice.

Go Mavs. let's destroy the Leastern conference.

Underdog · 01-31-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikeball

most people find this trip scary..but Dirk finds it fun.

Most people aren't Dirk...

Tokey41 · 01-31-2008, 03:14 PM

With KG and Allen out it should be like playing the Celtics of last year... minus Al Jefferson. The only difference is probably their team chemistry and if you look at the Blazers right now i'm probably not giving that concept enough credit.... but talent wise we should own them (even without Harris).

Dirk should score at will.

fluid.forty.one · 01-31-2008, 03:18 PM

I wish this was the 2nd game tonight cause now I'm going to have to miss the first half cause of work.

but wow, the double header on TNT tonight is awesome.

DavidDaMonkey · 01-31-2008, 03:42 PM

Im callin it right now. JJB is going to go off tonight with at least 20 points.

me770706 · 01-31-2008, 03:48 PM

i'll be lookin for the damp/perkins match. both can bring it when they want to

Thespiralgoeson · 01-31-2008, 04:33 PM

This sucks. I really want to see how we match up with the Celtics at full strength.

Underdog · 01-31-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

This sucks. I really want to see how we match up with the Celtics at full strength.

Well, it's not the only time we're playing them this season...

But then again, everyone knows their big 3 is (and always has been) prone to injury, so we might not get the chance... Actually, if we went all season without being able to play their starting lineup in its entirety then I'd say the Celtics would be shaping up to be the Rockets of the East...

Krazy · 01-31-2008, 06:59 PM

Good Luck!

Dirkgreatness · 01-31-2008, 07:11 PM

Dang, i was looking forward to this game since the season began. I wish we could see these to two teams at full strength.

Mavs Rule · 01-31-2008, 07:16 PM

They are going to announce the west all star reserves on TNT right now!!!!!

Go Josh!

Mavs Rule · 01-31-2008, 07:18 PM

Nash
Paul
Dirk!!!

Dirkadirkastan · 01-31-2008, 07:19 PM

Lost will be waiting for me patiently on the campus network.

Mavs Rule · 01-31-2008, 07:19 PM

Boozer
Amare
Roy????!
West

No Josh boohoo

Mavs Rule · 01-31-2008, 07:33 PM

Ray Allen is playing tonight, but KG is not.

Mavs Rule · 01-31-2008, 07:51 PM

I am sorry, but tonight, it is all about one guy. JOSH! Remember how it was last year, when he heard that he was snubbed as a reserve? HE KICKED BUTT that night. Well, guess what? ... He will kick butt tonight also. (just for those who forgot, he was picked to the all star game as a replacement last year).

Josh is going for 35 at least tonight.