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Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« on: February 09, 2009, 04:44:45 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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  at 
Boston Celtics (42-11) at  Dallas Mavericks (30-18)
Thursday, February 12
9:30 PM ET
Game #55  Road Game #27
TV:  TNT
American Airlines Center

American Airlines Center was constructed in Victory Park in order to help revitalize and redevelop the area into mix use development that includes the arena, housing and commercial spaces. From the exterior, the arena is a massive structure that has a façade of brick and glass arches. Because of the design, American Airlines Center has won numerous architectural awards. The Mavericks played their first game at the arena on October 30, 2001 against the Detroit Pistons. American Airlines Center has a seating capacity of 19,200 with 142 luxury suites and 1,600 club seats.



Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.6
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222


Probable Starters

PG:  Rajon Rondo PPG 11.2 RPG 5.10 APG 8.3 EFF + 18.60 
SG:  Ray Allen   PPG 18.2 RPG 3.30 APG 2.9 EFF + 17.00   
SF: Paul Pierce  PPG 19.5 RPG 5.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 19.21
PF:  Kevin Garnett   PPG 16.5 RPG 9.00 APG 2.7 EFF + 22.10   
C:    Kendrick Perkins  PPG 8.2 RPG 7.90 APG 1.1 EFF + 13.94   


Reserves

Tony Allen
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Bill Walker
Sam Cassell 
 
Injuries:
Brian Scalabrine (Concussion)  day to day
Tony Allen (thumb)  out 




Coach: Rick Carlisle
Average Age: 27.7
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 219


Probable Starters

PG:   Jason Kidd   PPG 8.8 RPG 6.30 APG 8.3 EFF + 19.14
SG:   Antoine Wright   PPG 5.8 RPG 1.80 APG 0.9 EFF + 5.09
SF:   Josh Howard   PPG 17.8 RPG 5.00 APG 1.6 EFF + 14.70
PF:   Dirk Nowitski   PPG 25.8 RPG 8.30 APG 2.3 EFF + 24.84
C:    Erick Dampier   PPG 5.4 RPG 7.20 APG 1.0 EFF + 12.48

Reserves
Jose Barea
Matt Carroll
Jason Terry
Brandon Bass
Ryan Hollins
James Singleton
Devean George
Gerald Green
Jerry Stackhouse
Shawne Williams 

Injuries
None

Key Matchups
  vs 
Rajon Rondo  vs  Jason Kidd
Kidd may be slowing down, but he is still a tough matchup.  Rondo has to continue to be aggressive and use his speed to beat Kidd.

  vs 
Kevin Garnett  vs  Dirk Nowitski
 Dirk is a tough cover since he is a threat from beyond the arc as well as in the paint.  KG needs to make Dirk work on both ends of the court. 

Team Connections
Brian Scalabrine and Jason Kidd were teammates in New Jersey
Gerald Green was originally drafted by the Celtics with the 18th pick in the 2005 draft
Brandon Bass and Big Baby Davis are former LSU Tigers
Mavs Coach Rick Carlisle played for the Celtics from 1984-1087 and won a ring with the Celtics in 1986.

Game Notes
The Celtics swept the series last season for the first time since the '93-'94 season.  The Mavs are 16-7 at home while the Celtics are 18-7 on the road.  The Celtics are 8-2 in their last 10 games while the Mavs are 7-3 in their last 10 games.  Former Celtic Gerald Green is on the Mavs roster but has played in only 24 games and is averaging 5.6 points per game in 11 mpg.

Keys to the Game
Defense  When the Celtics play their trademark tough defense, they are very hard to beat.  Their defensive intensity has slipped considerably in recent games however and they need to get back to the tough lock down defense that they have played in the past. 

Rebound  The Mavericks are a very good rebounding team and the Celtics need to be aggressive in crashing the boards and going after rebounds.  Limiting the Mavs' second chance points will be important.  They allowed too many tip ins and put backs by the Spurs and need to improve that in this game. 

Limit Turnovers   The Celtics still turn the ball over too much and they need to work on taking better care of the ball.  A team like the Mavs will make them pay by converting the turnovers into points. Most turnovers are the result of a lack of focus and so the Celtics mus also improve their level of focus.

Be Aggressive  The Celtics need to be aggressive in going after loose balls and taking the ball to the basket.  While the Celtics are good shooters, they shouldn't depend on the outside shot.  They need to aggressively take the ball to the hoop as well as be aggressive in going after loose balls and rebounds. 

X-Factor
Back to Back
The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games.  Last season they were very good in back to back situations, but this season they tend to lose focus and look tired in the second game.  Hopefully they will be able to bring the energy they need to win this one. It would be nice to go into the All Star break on a win.   
« Last Edit: February 10, 2009, 03:07:34 PM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/11
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2009, 05:18:17 PM »

Offline twinbree

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TP for the game thread. The Mavs game is on Thursday though. Hornets on Wednesday. Jason Terry got injured in their last game and didn't come back. I don't know if he'll be playing.
Mavs are probably still smarting from the last meeting so they'll put up a good fight. Go Celtics
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Mike: Everybody 60 or over knows Tommy as a player. Everybody 40 or over knows Tommy as a coach. Everybody 20 or over knows Tommy as a broadcaster. And everybody 10 or under thinks he's Shrek.

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/11
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2009, 05:30:41 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP for the game thread. The Mavs game is on Thursday though. Hornets on Wednesday. Jason Terry got injured in their last game and didn't come back. I don't know if he'll be playing.
Mavs are probably still smarting from the last meeting so they'll put up a good fight. Go Celtics

OOPS!  Better get going on the Hornets thread LOL.  Think I need a vacation!

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2009, 06:46:30 AM »

Offline christuffa

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Looks like Terry is definitely out, playing only 4 days after hand surgery...I doubt it.

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/02/09/mavs.terry.ap/index.html

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2009, 03:51:17 PM »

Offline steved24

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Jason Terry is expected to miss three to six weeks..

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2009, 03:55:49 PM »

Offline steved24

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this is OT but did anyone hear what Ainge said in brief interview during last nights game saying that he doesn't expect us to make any deals by trade deadline?

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2009, 03:56:14 PM »

Offline ACF

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FL is only 16 TP's shy of having
as many TP's as posts with the
one I just gave her  ;)

Go Celtics!

(Make that 15  :))

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2009, 04:05:13 PM »

Offline Mr October

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FL is only 16 TP's shy of having
as many TP's as posts with the
one I just gave her  ;)

Go Celtics!

(Make that 15  :))

TP for you and FL. Go Celtics!

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2009, 04:07:58 PM »

Offline Redz

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this is OT but did anyone hear what Ainge said in brief interview during last nights game saying that he doesn't expect us to make any deals by trade deadline?

Yup, but no GM ever shows his hand.
Yup

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2009, 04:57:50 PM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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thought this game was tomorrow night, now i'm excited.

TP FL.

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2009, 05:09:40 PM »

Offline RAcker

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thought this game was tomorrow night, now i'm excited.

TP FL.
With all of the confusion on the game night I'm seeing here, I hope the C's haven't dropped the ball like all of us.  This is a winnable game and would be a perfect way to start this western swing and get us into All Star weekend (i.e. rest). 

Let's see if KG makes Dirk his B again.

P.S. We're 43-11 now, but who's got two thumbs and is counting...this guy!!!

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2009, 05:15:51 PM »

Offline celticinorlando

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need to get this one tonight...

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2009, 05:20:21 PM »

Offline ma11l

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Don't wanna sit on a loss for a week, especially against a team that we should beat with a tough stretch coming up after the break.  Keep momentum as Orlando, Cleveland, and LA have all lost this week.
"Take this down," said O'Neal. "My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the (expletive) truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2009, 06:10:57 PM »

Offline silvershamrocker

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Wow, FL. You almost have as many TPs as you do posts!  :o You deserve it, though!


"It will be fun watching the Lakers get those balloons down one at a time." - Bill Russell

Re: Celtics (42-11) at Mavericks (30-18) 2/12
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2009, 06:33:40 PM »

Offline cool breeze

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Found this clip of Mark Cuban displaying his inventive side. Maybe he can build a molecule chamber to heal Jason Terry?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z9VSOq0nqU