Official GDT: Celtics @ Mavs - 02/12/09 - 8:30pm CST - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

alby · 02-12-2009, 10:25 AM

Boston Celtics (43-11)
Dallas Mavericks (31-20)

Boston is 19-7 on the road and Dallas is 14-7 at home, something's gotta give.

We all know what happened the last time these two teams met. Can Dallas revenge that lost on national TV with a win on national TV right before the All-Star break? Another reason why this game is big is because if the Blazers lose tonight coupled by a Mavericks win, Dallas will be sitting in 4th! Nobody would have expected that. Whether that is a good thing, or a bad thing... pertaining to trades, we will see.

NBA.com preview

The Boston Celtics will be well represented in the All-Star game, as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are all scheduled to play for the Eastern Conference.

The "Big Three" certainly play like All-Stars against the Dallas Mavericks.

Before entering the break, the East-leading Celtics look to sweep their second straight season series from the Mavericks when the teams meet in Dallas on Thursday night.

Boston (43-11), in the midst of a stretch of games against Western Conference powers, came away with an impressive 89-77 victory at New Orleans on Wednesday.

Pierce scored a game-high 30 points and the Celtics pulled away late, outscoring the Hornets 25-13 in the final period.

That was encouraging for Boston, which squandered fourth-quarter leads in two games last week - a 105-99 home defeat to Southwest Division-leading San Antonio on Sunday, and a 110-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers three nights earlier.

"I guess we learned from our mistakes,'' Pierce said. "It was all about execution, especially in the fourth quarter and we defended at a higher level there in the fourth. Those are two things we've got to do, especially on the road.''

The Celtics have won eight straight road games after dropping their previous four away from Boston.
Dallas (31-20), meanwhile, has won 10 of its last 11 at the American Airlines Center, and is looking to win six straight home games for the first time this season.

Boston had little trouble in its first meeting of the season with the Mavericks, which it won 124-100 at home on Jan. 25. The Celtics, who led by as many as 35 points, have defeated Dallas three straight times since the start of last season after losing 13 of the previous 14 meetings.

Garnett had 23 points in 25 minutes in last month's win over the Mavericks, while Allen and Eddie House also finished with 23 apiece.

Allen hyperextended his right thumb in the first half Wednesday and left after scoring just one point in 19 minutes. However, the nine-time All-Star is expected to return Thursday.

Despite playing without their second-leading scorer, the Mavericks had little trouble Tuesday beating one of the league's worst teams.

Sixth man Jason Terry, averaging 19.9 points, broke his left hand in Saturday's 115-114 overtime win over Chicago. He had surgery Monday, and is expected to miss three to six weeks.

Without Terry, Dallas is looking to get Josh Howard and Antoine Wright more involved on offense. They were able to do just that plan against lowly Sacramento on Tuesday, as Howard and Wright led the Mavericks with 23 points apiece en route to a 118-110 victory - the sixth in seven games overall for Dallas.

"Antoine came in and played great along with everyone else," Howard said. "We've got to keep doing this.''

Getting similar production Thursday against a stingy Boston defense won't be easy.

The Celtics have the league's second-best scoring defense (92.0 points per game allowed), and completely frustrated Dirk Nowitzki in the first meeting. The eight-time All-Star finished with 18 points but shot only 4 of 17 from the field.

Nowitzki has been tough to slow down lately, especially at home. He is averaging 28.0 points on 52.0 percent shooting during Dallas' five-game home winning streak.

---

Latest news on Ray Allen:

Ray Allen (hyperextended thumb) is expected to play on Thursday.
He had his right hand wrapped after Wednesday's game but fortunately it doesn't sound serious. Keep him active, but don't be shocked if his shot is affected by the injury.
Source: Associated Press

---

If Dallas can keep Rondo and Allen in check, we should be in this game. It is all about defense.

I'm putting my 4-0 GDT record on the line, let's keep the winning streak alive!

Boston 93 - 98 Dallas

Go Mavericks!

TheMaverick · 02-12-2009, 10:26 AM

LET'S GO MAVERICKS!

A win would send a pretty big message to the rest of the league heading into the break.

Underdog · 02-12-2009, 10:27 AM

So much for mojo - your double post with the "Bulls" game better be some kind of uber good luck charm you're using against the mighty Celtics, otherwise I see a 30-point blowout against us in the works...

TheMaverick · 02-12-2009, 10:28 AM

In alby I trust.

I think the man knows what he's doing.

Underdog · 02-12-2009, 10:38 AM

Looks like one of the mods was quick on their toes and deleted the other thread - now I'm predicting a 10-point loss rather than a 30-point blowout...

SMC0007 · 02-12-2009, 11:17 AM

I predict a much closer game than last time. Dirk should pay KG back today I would count on him getting 27+pts 10rpg.

Celtics are coming to our house off a B2B and it's time to even the score with those bitzes.

Dirk... attack KG, right from the start!

Damp watch the lob!

Jho take it to PP!

LonghornDub · 02-12-2009, 11:20 AM

Mavs win this one. That's right--I said it.

sefant77 · 02-12-2009, 11:33 AM

We will miss Terry badly.

Barea will be useless in this game, for every basket he do he will get blocked at least 1 time...

Hope Wright continues with a nice offense.

I guess it will be a lost honestly...

fluid.forty.one · 02-12-2009, 11:35 AM

uh oh

go mavericks

12 Tone Melodies · 02-12-2009, 11:35 AM

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Feb 12, 2009
Boston @ Dallas--D. Bavetta; D. Richardson; S. Wall

Underdog · 02-12-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12 Tone Melodies

http://www.nba.com/news/referee.html
Referee Assignments
Feb 12, 2009
Boston @ Dallas--D. Bavetta; D. Richardson; S. Wall

We're not going to win - Bavetta will beat us quicker than KG can...

Sportstudi · 02-12-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

We're not going to win - Bavetta will beat us quicker than KG can...

Yeah, that's what I fear as well...

Nevertheless, go Mavs! I really, really wish Dirk will give KG some payback!

DevinHarriswillstart · 02-12-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

We're not going to win - Bavetta will beat us quicker than KG can...

Gonna be some boos at the arena tonight...

Can't wait...

Silly Bavetta.

FromDownTown! · 02-12-2009, 12:01 PM

The spot light is on Defense especially Wright and Howard. If we can slow down Pierce and run Allen off the 3 point line, also keep Damp and Dirk out of foul trouble, we might just squeak this one out...thats if our offense is clicking

mmmfast · 02-12-2009, 12:14 PM

Bavetta + Nationally televised Mavs curse = bad feeling

Despite these obstacles they are capable of winning...GO MAVS!

ghazi · 02-12-2009, 12:17 PM

Difficult, but not impossible

TNT · 02-12-2009, 12:27 PM

I will quote:

"I have a dream"

and i think you all know what i mean. It is win against Celtics.

GO MAVS GO!

Dirkadirkastan · 02-12-2009, 12:54 PM

Just make me proud.

darkwitzki · 02-12-2009, 01:34 PM

It's payback time!

minkbarn · 02-12-2009, 02:00 PM

Rondo's always the key for the Celtics. When he plays well the Celtics are almost impossible to beat.

Rondo often doesn't do as well on the road as at home and he often doesn't do as well on the second nights of back to backs as when he's rested. But he's a match up nightmare for Dallas.

There's a rumor he and Doc Rivers got into a heated exchange recently so Rondo might be extra motivated for this game. (It's not a huge deal as former point guard Rivers has always expected a lot of Rondo and they have kind of a fiery relationship.)

Ray Allen may or may not play (he's going to try). Tony Allen and Scalabrine are out. Gabe Pruitt and maybe Bill Walker will get some significant minutes if Ray Allen can't go.

Eddie House has been playing great recently and actually performs better when Tony Allen is out making the Celtics bring in Pruitt and moving House to his natural off guard spot.

Garnett, Perkins and Ray Allen all played fairly short minutes last night. Pierce should be fine despite 43 and a half minutes. Rondo also played 43, so he's the one to watch early to get an indication about how the Celtics will pace the game.

esoteric562 · 02-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Terry's absences will be apparant in this one. LETS GO MAVS! we can get this done!

alby · 02-12-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minkbarn

Rondo's always the key for the Celtics. When he plays well the Celtics are almost impossible to beat.

Rondo often doesn't do as well on the road as at home and he often doesn't do as well on the second nights of back to backs as when he's rested. But he's a match up nightmare for Dallas.

There's a rumor he and Doc Rivers got into a heated exchange recently so Rondo might be extra motivated for this game. (It's not a huge deal as former point guard Rivers has always expected a lot of Rondo and they have kind of a fiery relationship.)

Ray Allen may or may not play (he's going to try). Tony Allen and Scalabrine are out. Gabe Pruitt and maybe Bill Walker will get some significant minutes if Ray Allen can't go.

Eddie House has been playing great recently and actually performs better when Tony Allen is out making the Celtics bring in Pruitt and moving House to his natural off guard spot.

Garnett, Perkins and Ray Allen all played fairly short minutes last night. Pierce should be fine despite 43 and a half minutes. Rondo also played 43, so he's the one to watch early to get an indication about how the Celtics will pace the game.

I agree 100%. Rondo and three pointers from Ray Allen are the keys to this game. If Eddie House goes off on us again, I might have to shoot myself.

LonghornDub · 02-12-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alby

I agree 100%. Rondo and three pointers from Ray Allen are the keys to this game. If Eddie House goes off on us again, I might have to shoot myself.

I'll shoot both of us.

minkbarn · 02-12-2009, 03:10 PM

I really think Ray Allen is unlikely to play. He says he's going to try, but Doc Rivers thinks he won't play and the Celtics are generally conservative in sending players out there if they're not healthy.

Eddie House has been blazing recently and even though Pruitt's stats haven't been much, when Pruitt is in House plays off the ball and lights it up.

I have no idea who might start if Ray Allen doesn't suit up. Probably Pruitt or even Walker.

Powe seems to be putting things together after a rough month or two, while Big Baby has been pretty consistent of late.

Perkins has not been the same since his shoulder injury a few months back.

TheMaverick · 02-12-2009, 03:13 PM

Though an earlier report said that he would play through his hyperextended thumb Thursday, Ray Allen's status for the matchup with Dallas is still to be determined.
Coach Doc Rivers doesn't think Allen will be able to play, but the Celtics shooting guard plans to test the thumb prior to the game. Even if he does sit out, the injury doesn't appear to be too serious and Allen should be fine in the long run.
Source: Boston Globe

ghazi · 02-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Boston is a better team than our Mavs.

But we got some breaks here... its at home, and its a back to back for Boston.

And if Allen is out, even more!

Altho our beloved JET is out, its winnable.

I saw Boston v NOH last night... Boston didn't really look great at all besides Pierce in the first 3 quarters... the game got blown open in the 4th when Eddie House came in and scored like 8 points. Tied after 3, Bostn went up by as much as 14 and won by 12.

Guard the 3-PT line, I think their offense looks rather ordinary without Allen's shooting spacing the floor.

Again, Boston turns it over a lot, but they have good transition D. we must turn these TO's into easy buckets somehow some way.

Our boys have to bring it tonight. Our tandem of forwards needs to outplay theirs, and we need an "anomaly" performance out of 2 out of Barea, Bass, Wright, DAMP? anyone

Tokey41 · 02-12-2009, 03:52 PM

Mavs 95 Celtics 90

Dirk owns KG, redemption.

minkbarn · 02-12-2009, 03:58 PM

As a follow up: If Ray Allen is out the Celtics would normally just start Tony Allen. But he's also out.

Their third choice would be to start Scalabrine with Pierce moving to big guard.

So they are actually going to a fourth option if Ray Allen doen't play. That's really going down the depth chart.

I suppose they could also start Eddie House but it would screw up their bench rotation and Rivers generally avoids that.

left texas · 02-12-2009, 05:48 PM

There is absolutely no way the Mavs can win this game. We do not match up with the Celtics, I know they will kill us! That being said, MAVS 102 Celtics 97

monty55555 · 02-12-2009, 05:57 PM

Go Mavs!!!!

GermanDunk · 02-12-2009, 05:57 PM

Motto for the game

Be hammer - not anvil !

Windmill360 · 02-12-2009, 06:00 PM

I don't want to read any crying in this thread. We know we're going to lose so just deal with it.

left texas · 02-12-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanDunk

Motto for the game

Be hammer - not anvil !

If Mavs win new nickname the HammeringMavs!!!

GermanDunk · 02-12-2009, 06:24 PM

^ or "Ne feriare feri"

Sportstudi · 02-12-2009, 06:41 PM

Link
Link

Bayliss · 02-12-2009, 06:42 PM

Mavs are going to lose big time tonight.

Underdog · 02-12-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmill360

I don't want to read any crying in this thread. We know we're going to lose so just deal with it.

Then you should probably steer clear of this thread altogether (I can already tell you who's going to be crying about what because they do it every time we lose, regardless of WHY we actually lost...)

Who knows? Maybe the Mavs will shut some folks the hell up by pulling out a win...

GO MAVS!!!

Sportstudi · 02-12-2009, 06:53 PM

Probably I'm the loser of the night together with TNT regardless the outcome. Finland and Estonia are both within EET, which means the game will start at 4.30 am... I guess it's even better not to go to bed before the game

BGMaverick9 · 02-12-2009, 07:13 PM

Live at the AAC tonight!

Go Mavs!

GermanDunk · 02-12-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstudi

Probably I'm the loser of the night together with TNT regardless the outcome. Finland and Estonia are both within EET, which means the game will start at 4.30 am... I guess it's even better not to go to bed before the game

Ugh, just saw it. It´s 9:30 and not 8:30

I´d better watch it relive then. Too late for little GD, i think.