Celtics Continue Road Trip in Dallas

  at 
Boston Celtics (6-1) at Dallas Mavericks (3-2)
Monday, November 8
8:30 PM ET
Game #8  Road Game #4
TV:  CSNNE, FSSW-DAL, LP 758/759
Radio WEEI, KESN
American Airlines Arena

Referees:   Bill Kennedy,  Mark Ayotte,  David Jones  

Last Season the Celtics split the series 1‐1.  Paul Pierce led the Celtics with an average of 26.5 points per game against the Mavericks shooting 55.9% from the fiel.   Ray Allen also notched an average of 21.0 points per game.   Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with an average of 32.5 points per game while shooting  61.0% from the field.  Jason Kidd added a double‐double with 12.0 points and 13.0 assists per game.

The Mavs have been playing great defense, holding opponents to 39.8% shooting.  They have also been sharing the ball, notching at least 20 assists in each of their games so far.  The Celtics have to match their defensive intensity if they want to win this game.  The Mavs have dropped their last 2 games at home and so will be looking to get back on track vs the Celtics.  

This will be a very tough game for the Celtics.  They are playing in the second of back to back games on the road and with 2 ailing centers.  The Mavs are a deep team with a strong bench also so the Celtics reserves have to come to play.  The play of the Celtics bench will be a key in this game. 


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
  vs 
Rajon Rondo vs Jason Kidd

Shooting Guard

  vs 
Ray Allen vs Jason Terry

Small Forward

  vs 
Paul Pierce vs Caron Butler

Power Forward
  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Dirk Nowitski 

Center

  vs 
Jermaine O'Neal vs Tyson Chandler



Boston Bench Mob
Marquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Semih Erden

Injured
Kendrick Perkins (knee) out
Avery Bradley (ankle) day to day
Shaquille O'Neal (knee) day to day
Delonte West (Suspended)
Rajon Rondo (feet)  probable 



Dallas Reserves
Dominique Jones
Shawn Marion
Jose Juan Barea
Brendan Haywood
Brian Cardinal
Ian Mahinmi
DeShawn Stevenson
Alexis Ajinca
Steve Novak 

Injuries
Rodrigue Beaubois (foot)  out 


Key Matchups
  vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jason Kidd
After facing 2 of the top young PG's in his last two games, Rondo now has to play one of the top veteran PG's in the league in Jason Kidd.  Rondo has the speed,  but Kidd has the experience.  All in all, the Celtics should have the advantage.  Expect to see the Mavs speedster, Jason Terry, guarding Rondo most of the time.   

  vs 
Kevin Garnett vs Dirk Nowitski 
This should be a great matchup between two of the premiere power forwards in the league.   Dirk has the capability of taking over a game and KG will need to concentrate on his defense to keep him from having a big game. 

Keys to the Game
Rebound
Limit Turnovers
Defense
Bench Play

Odd Fact
They were named the Dallas Mavericks following a name the team contest. Other finalists from the 4,600 entries were Wranglers and Express.

X-Factors
Fatigue and Injuries
Playing in the second of back to back games on the road along with overnight travel from Oklahoma City to Dallas,  fatigue may come into play.  The Celtics have to get quality minutes from their bench in both games in order for the starters not to run out of gas at the end.   Also with both JO and Shaq hurting, the Celtics depth at center is taking a big hit.  Semih and Big Baby will have to come up big for the Celtics to prevail in this one.