<font size="5"><font color="Navy">Dallas Mavericks (47-23) </font><font color="Black">vs. </font><font color="Green">Boston Celtics (38-32) </font></font> March 30, 2005 Mavericks at Celtics 7:00 PM <u>The Mavericks come into Boston looking for a 2-0 start to a tough four game road trip.</u> <font size="3">Statistical Leaders:</font>(Active Players) <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Mavericks:</font></font> Points:<font color="Navy">Dirk Nowitzki (26.5 PPG) </font> Rebounds:<font color="Navy">Dirk Nowitzki (10.1 RPG) </font> Assists:<font color="Navy">Jason Terry (5.3 APG) </font> <font size="2"><font color="green">Celtics:</font></font> Points:<font color="green">Paul Pierce (21.5 PPG) </font> Rebounds:<font color="green">Antoine Walker (9.3 RPG) </font> Assists:<font color="green">Gary Payton (6.0 APG) </font> <font size="3">Probable Starters:</font> <font color="navy"><font size="3"><font color="navy">Mavericks:</font></font> <font size="1">Jason Terry, Michael Finley, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Bradley</font> </font> <font color="green"><font size="3"><font color="green">Celtics:</font></font> <font size="1">Gary Payton (Questionable), Tony Allen, Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker, Raef LaFrentz</font></font> <font size="3">Key Matchup:</font> vs. <font size="1"><font color="navy"> Josh Howard </font> vs. <font color="green"> Paul Pierce </font></font> Paul Pierce is obviously the best player on the Celtics, and therefore will get the most attention. As the resident defensive stopper on the Mavericks, Josh Howard will have the assignment of guarding him throughout the game. I see this as being not only the most important matchup but also the most entertaining. Josh is coming off a big game and I think he will come up large on both ends of the court Wednesday. <font size="3">X-Factors:</font> <font size="2"><font color="Navy">Mavericks:</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="navy"><u>Key Players Returning From Injury</u> </font> <font size="1">Both Erick Dampier and Jerry Stackhouse are expected to return to the court against Boston, and this is obviously an X-factor for the Mavericks during their playoff run. Both of these players need to be playing up to their potential during the last weeks of the season and into the playoffs if the Mavs want to have a real shot at the title. Erick Dampier seemed to have fed off of Avery Johnson when he filled in for Nelson, so it will be interesting to see how he plays now that Avery is in charge</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="green">Celtics:</font></font> <font size="2"><font color="green"><u>Raef LaFrentz's Play </font></u> <font size="1"> Raef LaFrentz will have to come up big in this game in order for the Celtics to have a real chance. He has always been able to shoot the 3 and he will need to hit open shots. Shawn Bradley will not want to venture outside, so Raef should have some clean looks. If he hits them, this may force the Mavericks to drop into their 2-3 zone, leaving Boston the opportunity to pick them apart from outside the arc.</font></font> <font size="3">WhiteManCanJump's Prediction:</font> This is a more dangerous game for the Mavericks than it may seem, as they seem to be set for a let-down. I believe they will start sluggish but pick it up in the end and blow it open by the time the game is over. I expect a decent defensive game from them, winning by 11. Mavericks 99, Celtics 88. Discuss the game in this thread!
If the Mavs can take advantage of the Celtics defense, then they'll win easily. It's good to see Stack and Damp getting back into action. I'm also interested in seeing Avery Johnson as a head coach for the first time. Mavs 111 Celts 106
