Game 8/82: Celtics (6-1) @ Mavericks (3-2) Open Thread:

Posted by Mike Salvucci on Nov 8, 2010 104618 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F11%2F08%2Fgame-882-celtics-6-1-mavericks-3-2-open-thread%2FGame+8%2F82%3A+Celtics+%286-1%29+%40+Mavericks+%283-2%29+Open+Thread%3A2010-11-08+20%3A59%3A50Mike+Salvuccihttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D10461

Boston at Dallas
American Airlines Center
8:30 PM EST
TV: CSN

Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 103.9 points/100 possessions (14th)
Dallas: 101.9 points/100 possessions (18th)

Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 95.6 points allowed/100 possessions (3rd)
Dallas: 97.4 points allowed/100 possessions (5th)

Probable Dallas starters: Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Caron Butler, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler

Thumbnail: Known for early season winning streaks, the Celtics look to extend this one to 6 games against a Mavs team that is coming off a home-and-home split with Denver.

WHAT THE MAVERICKS DO WELL:

• Depth and balance: The Mavs have a good player at all five starting spots, plus are able to bring Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood off the bench. Dirk, Butler and Terry are a very formidable “Big Three” (at least on the offensive end) that can beat you in a number of ways. The Celtics usually have an edge with their bench in every game, but tonight should be a good battle of the second units.

WHAT THE MAVERICKS DO POORLY:

• Turn the ball over. The Mavericks are tied for 4th most turnovers per game with 17.2. Like the C’s, this is a veteran team that likes to play in the half-court. Turnovers leading to easy fast break points will be important for the Celtics.

PLAYER(S) WHO MAKE ME WORRY:

• Nowitzki: Surprisingly, Dirk has only taken four 3-pointers this entire season, but he’s still averaging 25.8 ppg. How is this possible? He’s taken more shots from the 16-23 foot range than anywhere else on the court, where he’s averaging 59% shooting (HoopData.com).
• Terry: Off to a fast start, averaging 19.2 ppg on 50% 3-point shooting.

PLAYER(S) WHO DON’T MAKE ME WORRY:

• Kidd: His early season numbers are solid: 9 ppg, 5 rebounds, 11 assists. But at the level that Rondo is playing, tonight could be a tough one for Kidd. He isn’t getting any younger, and I don’t see him chasing Rondo around all night, so we might see more minutes for Northeastern product Jose Juan Barea.

WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM BOSTON TONIGHT: With an ailing left knee, can Jermaine O’Neal have another good night rebounding the basketball?  He improved on his zero-rebound game against Chicago with 9 boards last night against OKC. With KG tasked with guarding Nowitzki tonight, the C’s could use another strong performance on the glass from Jermaine.

Prediction: Dallas 105, Boston 99. It seems like every time I turn around the Celtics are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. This time it might be asking a little much. Expect a huge game from Dirk.