Author Topic: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14  (Read 27403 times)

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Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« on: February 08, 2014, 09:19:02 PM »

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Dallas Mavericks (30-21) at Boston Celtics (18-33)
Sunday, February 9, 2014
6:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #52 – Home Game #27
TV: NBA-TV, CSN-NE, FSSW-DA, NBA-TV Canada
Radio: WBZ, ESPN 103.3 FM
TD Garden



Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jose Calderon

Shooting Guard

vs
Gerald Wallace vs Monta Ellis

Small Forward
vs
Jeff Green vs Shawn Marion

Power Forward

vs
Brandon Bass vs Dirk Nowitski

Center

vs
Jared Sullinger vs Samuel Dalembert




Celtics Reserves
Kelly Olynyk
Jerryd Bayless
Phil Pressey
Joel Anthony
Chris Johnson
Kris Humphries

Injuries
Keith Bogans (personal) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) day to day
Avery Bradley (ankle) day to day
Rajon Rondo (general soreness) day to day


Mavericks Reserves
Vince Carter
DeJuan Blair
Brandan Wright
Jae Crowder
Devin Harris
Shane Larkin
Bernard James
Wayne Ellington
Ricky Ledo

Injuries
Gal Mekel (knee) out
Monta Ellis (hamstring) questionable

Game Notes
Things get a little tougher for the Celtics as they host Dirk Nowitski and the Dallas Mavericks.  The Mavs sit in the 8th spot in the West with a 30-21 record.  The Mavs have won 4 in a row while the Celtics have won their last 3.

The Celtics 3 wins have come against teams below .500 and now they get a chance to test whether they really have improved to the point where they can beat a good team above .500. 

Rondo was feeling better after missing the last game with general soreness but is still a game time decision for this game.  I've included him in the starting lineup but we may very well see Phil Pressey get the start again.  The Celtics will play again on Monday against the Bucks and so Rondo will more than likely sit out at least one of those games, even if he is feeling great. 

Key Matchups
vs
Brandon Bass vs Dirk Nowitski
Dirk Nowitski is getting older, but he doesn't seem to have lost much as he is averaging 21.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.  He has a size advantage over Brandon Bass and will be a tough matchup for him.

vs
Jared Sullinger vs Samuel Dalembert
Can Sully have another big night after his monster night against the Kings?  Dalembert isn't as tough a matchup as Cousins but maybe it was the competition that made Sully better. 

Honorable Mention
Gerald Wallace vs Monta Ellis
Ellis is having a strong year, averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists.  He is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury and with Bradley's status also up in the air, who knows which shooting guards will actually play? 

Keys to the Game
Rebound
- Rebounding is so crucial to getting a win. When the Celtics put out the effort to grab rebounds, more often than not, that effort extends to other areas of their game. . Rebounding is all in who wants it more and the Celtics have to be the team that wants it more.

Defense - Defense is always crucial to getting a win. Defense wins games is not just a cliche, it is the truth. The Celtics must play tough team defense especially against high scoring teams like the Mavs who average over 104 points per game.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics have to be aggressive in going to the basket and not settle for jumpers. They have to be aggressive on defense and in diving for loose balls. They have to be the team to set the pace.  Effort and aggressiveness got them a win over the Kings and they will need the same kind of effort and aggressive play in this one.

Focus - The Celtics have to keep their focus for all 48 minutes.  They can't afford a lapse like they have in many games where they turn the ball over and start missing their shots.  They can't afford to let up against good teams like the Mavs. 

X-Factor
Who is Playing?
If Bradley and Rondo don't play again in this one, it will be tough to win.  On the other hand, the Mavs could be without Monta Ellis who is key for them. 

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2014, 10:11:52 AM »

Offline DesertDweller

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I like our chances in this one.  C's seem to be playing together more as a team.  most important to keep improving on defense.

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2014, 10:44:43 AM »

Offline LatterDayCelticsfan

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Lets be havin' them BOLD PREDICTIONS. Kelly Olynyk to put Dirk Nowitsky on a poster, Chris Johnson to hit 30 points, and Phil Pressey to hit 5 threes
Banner 18 please 😍

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2014, 04:32:37 PM »

Offline Celtics39

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Rondo and Bradley will both be playing tonight according to Brian Robb of CelticsHub. Let's go Celtics!


Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2014, 04:45:21 PM »

Offline Tr1boy

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Rondo and Bradley will both be playing tonight according to Brian Robb of CelticsHub. Let's go Celtics!

darn it

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2014, 04:53:41 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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KO schools the Dirkmeister

Hee hee  :)
« Last Edit: February 09, 2014, 05:15:40 PM by SHAQATTACK »

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2014, 05:29:30 PM »

Offline Vox_Populi

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It's on NBATV too. Yay.

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2014, 05:40:52 PM »

Offline JOMVP

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Excited for this one. I really like the team that Mark Cuban pieced together this year, he's always pretty good at fielding competitive teams.

Also this is a must lose game for the Celtics, gotta assert ourselves if we want to get back into the top of the lottery picture.

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2014, 06:04:55 PM »

Offline Ogaju

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Excited for this one. I really like the team that Mark Cuban pieced together this year, he's always pretty good at fielding competitive teams.

Also this is a must lose game for the Celtics, gotta assert ourselves if we want to get back into the top of the lottery picture.

lol

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2014, 06:15:48 PM »

Offline Chief

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Bass stinks!
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
Larry Bird

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2014, 06:18:39 PM »

Offline Chief

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OK, Bass has got his fist foul. Time to stop trying to play defense so I don't pick up a second foul.
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
Larry Bird

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2014, 06:20:19 PM »

Offline TenaciousD

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Mr Dirk should have a field day shooting over Boston's underzied front court.  Only chance is to body -up and deny him position? 

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2014, 06:20:39 PM »

Offline SHAQATTACK

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AB

Building a BRick house ......

Take him out ...please

Chris Johnson in.

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2014, 06:21:08 PM »

Offline Shamrocker

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OK, Bass has got his fist foul. Time to stop trying to play defense so I don't pick up a second foul.

Three fouls for brick hands. Won't be seeing him for awhile.

Re: Mavericks (30-21) at Celtics (18-33) Game #52 2/9/14
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2014, 06:21:49 PM »

Offline Chief

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I like the cut and move by KO.
Once you are labeled 'the best' you want to stay up there, and you can't do it by loafing around.
 
Larry Bird