Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 30, 2008 21:21:11 GMT -5
at 
Dallas Mavericks (31-13) at Boston Celtics (35-8)
Thursday, January 31
8:00 PM ET
Game #44, Home Game #24
TV: TNT, SCORE, KTXA
Sirius: 123
TD Banknorth Garden
Probable Starters
PG: Rajon Rondo PPG 9.6 | APG 4.6 | SPG 1.8
SG: Tony Allen PPG 6.2 | APG 1.5 | 3P% .464
SF: Paul Pierce PPG 20.1 | RPG 5.7 | APG 5
PF: Brian Scalabrine PPG 1.9 | RPG 1.5 | BPG 0.1
C: Kendrick Perkins PPG 7.4 | RPG 5.6 | BPG 1.3
Off the Bench
Big Baby Davis, Eddie House, James Posey, Scot Pollard, Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt
Injuries
Scot Pollard, ankle, day to day
Kevin Garnett, ab strain, day to day
Ray Allen, flu, probable
Probable Starters
PG: Jason Terry PPG 15.1 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.1
SG: Eddie Jones PPG 3.4 | APG 1.7 | 3P% .349
SF: Josh Howard PPG 20.9 | RPG 7.5 | APG 2.1
PF: Dirk Nowitski PPG 22.3 | RPG 8.6 | BPG 1
C: Erick Dampier PPG 5.4 | RPG 6.9 | BPG 1.4
Off the Bench
Jose Barea, Trenton Hassell, Brandon Bass, Devean George, Desagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Nick Fazekas
Injuries
Jerry Stackhouse, hamstring, out
Devin Harris, ankle, out
Key Matchups
vs 
Rajon Rondo PPG 9.6 | APG 4.6 | SPG 1.8
PG: Jason Terry PPG 15.1 | APG 3.3 | SPG 1.1
Rondo has been playing very aggressive basketball with KG out. He has been taking it to the hoop and using his speed to the team's advantage. This should be a good matchup and hopefull Rondo will continue his aggressive play in this game.
vs 
Paul Pierce PPG 20.1 | RPG 5.7 | APG 5
Josh Howard PPG 20.9 | RPG 7.5 | APG 2.1
Pierce had an off game against the Heat and should bounce back with a big game in this one. Howard is one of the key players for the Mavs and Pierce will have to try to contain him.
Honorable Mention
Brian Scalabrine vs Dirk Nowitski. Celtics.com has Scal starting at Power forward. Doc said that if KG could play he would. With the Celtics off 4 days after this game, it could go either way. They could play him if he is moving well, figuring that he can rest 4 days before the next game, or they could keep him out figuring that the longer rest would be best for the strain to heal. A healthy KG would match up very well with Dirk. Scal would give the Mavs a mismatch to exploit.
Keys to the Game
Be AggressiveThe Celtics were very aggressive against the Heat, running the ball up the court at every opportunity and hustling for loose balls. They need to continue to be aggressive whether or not KG and Ray play.
Offense The Celtics were hitting their shots both inside and out against the Heat. The Mavs will play much better defense, though and the Celtics need to run their defense and hit those shots even against pressure and tougher defense. They had great ball movement and they have to continue that in spite of more pressure.
Defense The Celtics need to get back to their swarming defense. We saw it against the Heat and if they play the same kind of defense against the Mavs it will give them a good chance at winning this game.
Game notes
The Mavericks have been playing very good basketball and come into this game on a 4 game win streak. Critics say the Celtics won't prove anything until they beat the West's best of Dallas, San Antonio, Hornets and the Suns. The Celtics blew out the Heat without KG or Ray Allen, but the Mavs are a different story. Without KG to defend Dirk it is going to be a tough game for the Celtics.
The Mavs have won 7 in a row against the Celtics and last lost in Boston on 12/17/03. Even if the Celtics get a lead on the Mavs, they can't let up as the Mavericks have come back from double digit deficits 6 times already this season.
Maybe Doc will ca\ome to his senses before gametime, though. They have Powe listed as the sixth man. I like that as Leon has been doing swome good things out there.
