Empty the Bench

Game One: Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks

Prelude

This one is a tale of two teams going in opposite directions. The Boston Celtics waltz into Dallas looking for another big road win having dispatched the Houston Rockets and their 21-game winning streak Tuesday night and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. “I’ve never seen a defense like that,” said Tracy McGrady. “I mean, if they play defense like that, night in and night out, the NBA is in trouble because that was defense at its finest.” Indeed—the Celtics are allowing a league-low 90 points/per in blanketing shooters both on the perimeter and in the post with a hand in the face on nearly every other shot. The rebounding has been stellar too, allowing their opponents under 40/per as a team; only the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers are better in that category.

As for the Mavericks, they haven’t beaten a team above .500 since Jason Kidd came to town and have slid down the Western Conference standings all the way to the 7th seed. (Of course, just four games separate the 1 and 8 seed.) They’re coming off a gutting 102-100 loss to the LA Lakers Tuesday night, which was the seventh game straight that Kidd has failed to score in double digits… or attempt more than 7 shots. I know he’s a passer first, but that’s silly—Dallas is going to need 12-18 points a night from him come playoff time if they hope to advance past the first round. A victory tonight over a Boston team that’s cruising along with an .806 winning percentage would do wonders to quell the rising tide of criticism.

In-Game Notes

- The Celtics haven’t won in Dallas since 2000, but the return of Ray Allen (ankle) should give them a big boost. Less than two minutes into the game and he’s already gone to the free-throw line and nailed a jumper that looked effortless. All in all, though, this surprisingly hasn’t been one of Allen’s better overall seasons. His 2007-08 campaign will ultimately be judged on how he performs in the playoffs, however.

- In an era when many NBA teams are getting smaller in the frontcourt, the Celtics and Mavs are both starting traditional centers in Kendrick Perkins and Erick Dampier who have very similar skill sets: big, bruising, rebounding, shot-blocking lugs. It’ll be key for both of them to stay out of foul trouble as there’s not much size behind them on the depth chart.

- I’m a Josh Howard fan and think he’s the most exciting end-to-end player on the roster. Love his game, love his hustle, love what he brings to the Mavericks. He’s the third player of Dallas’ “Big Three” (along with Kidd and Dirk) and just as integral to the team’s success.

- 29-24 lead after one quarter for the Mavs following a 12-2 run, but it feels tenuous. Even in front of their home crowd, they seem a little of unsure of themselves. Is it because of tonight’s opponent, or because of a more deeply rooted tension?

- Jason Kidd is going to play 40+ minutes a night in the playoffs; I hope he’s ready for it. His backups, Tyronn Lue and Jose Juan Barrea, can both be effective in small fits and spurts in specific situations but overall, in the postseason against teams that are stacked at the position, I think they’ll both prove to be severe liabilities, especially on defense.

- Leon Powe has a very good chance of one day taking over KG’s starting power forward spot. The 6-8 third-year banger turned in some real solid performances while KG was out with a groin problem, and tonight he came in and made an immediate impact, putting up 3 points, 1 block, a nice assist to Paul Pierce, and drawing a charge on Dirk Nowitzki during his first 7 minutes. A lot of similarities between him and his backup PF counterpart on Dallas, Brandon Bass.

Notes on the rest of the Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks game after the break…

- You know how sometimes the first half in games between teams like Boston and Dallas feels like they’re just kind of feeling each other out and waiting to spring the real attack until the second half? This is one of those games. If this comes down to the last few possessions, I don’t think Dallas can win.

- I was looking for Rajon Rondo to come out early, outquick Kidd, and get to the hole for some layups and/or trips to the free-throw line, but he’s been quiet so far: 0 points, 3 assists, 4 turnovers. For his part, Kidd is still not shooting, taking just two shots (he split ‘em) during the first half. In other words, both are “meh” right now.

- Dallas 48, Boston 46 at the end of a pretty evenly matched first half. Dirk has been the best player on the court for Dallas (12 points, 9 boards, 2 blocks), while Paul Pierce leads Boston with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. I still think if it’s this close with under 3 minutes left—and it’s sure looking that way—that the Celtics will pull it out.

- As the second half kicks off, TNT’s Reggie Miller says he wants to talk about Jason Kidd’s “managering” in the first half.

- Just once I want to see Kendrick Perkins launch a three-pointer during one of those numerous possessions where he’s left unguarded in the middle of the court beyond the arc. Just once.

- Defensive intensity has picked up dramatically for both teams in the early going of the third. Contested shots, steals, blocks, hands in faces.

Jason Kidd, Avery Johnson Photo Credit: Icon SMI

- Maybe Kidd shouldn’t be shooting after all. Give him two field-goal attempts, two bad airballs so far in the second half. As soon as he squares up, you can tell he’d just rather not and has no confidence in that part of his game right now. On the bright side, better to experience and hopefully overcome this slump in the waning days of the regular season instead of at the end of April.

- Spagett! I got you good.

- This one means a lot more to the Dallas Mavericks than it does the Boston Celtics, and it shows.It’s subtle, but it’s there. Dirk has that crazed German look in his eye, the one that’s usually accompanied by make after make after make. Dampier has been active, Howard has been all over. Don’t get me wrong, Boston is playing hard. They have too much pride not to go full throttle in a nationally televised game like this. They want to win. But if they lose, they still have the best record in the NBA and are still a near-lock for the 1st seed in the East. Dallas, if they lose, are a meager one game away from dropping to the 8th seed. They want to win this one more. Or as Reggie Miller might say, “badder.”

- KG has been solid (14 points, 7 boards, 1 block), but so far tonight it’s Dirk > KG. The reigning MVP is on his way to 20 and 20 already: 20 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks. Jason Kidd and Rajon Rondo have combined for 2 points on 1-13 shooting. 15 bench points for Boston compared to 10 for Dallas. Stats. Stats. Stats.

- The Mavericks are 26-0 on the season when leading after three quarters. They’re leading after three quarters. So…

- Boston is coming a little unraveled here with just under 10 minutes left. Offensive foul on Eddie House, but he atones for it by stealing it back and leading a fast break that yields a three-point play from James Posey. Four-point lead Dallas.

- Now it’s Dallas’ turn. Technical foul Erick Dampier, and the lead is down to one.

- The Paul Pierce Show is getting started just in time for Boston. He’s scored the last 9—all on free throws. KG jumper breaks that spell, and Boston has the lead. Tension in Dallas, both in the stands and on the bench. James Posey three. Four-point Boston lead. Time out Dallas.

- Three-point lead for Boston when Pierce rips the ball away from Dirk, sprints down the floor, and is half-tackled/half-leg whipped by Jason Kidd to prevent the layup. He was backpedaling too quickly to do anything else.

- It’s worth noting that Ray Allen hasn’t played at all in the fourth quarter, probably because the sprained ankle that kept him out of the last few games is bothering him. This is a one-point game with just over 2 minutes left: who’s going to take the big shot for the Celtics? My personal pecking order: Paul Pierce, Sam Cassell, Kevin Garnett.

- I mentioned that it’s going to be key for Perkins and Dampier to stay out of foul trouble; Perk just fouled out with 1:54 left, putting Dirk on the line and Dallas a one-point lead. Ray Allen is the one who replaces him… hero time?

- Indeed, it was. With a hand in his face and his team down by one, Ray Allen calmly drains a long ball. It wasn’t the game-winner, but it got the “foul-hope for missed free throws-make a shot-foul-etc” strategy started for Dallas. It didn’t work, and Boston becomes the first team to go on a so-called “Texas Triangle” road trip (at Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas) and win them all since the Kings did it in 2000. A scattering of boos serenade the Mavs, but everyone is mostly quiet. And discouraged.

Boston 94, Dallas 90

Now Read Part II: Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz