Back On Track
Boston,Ma – A statement win in their most recent game gave the Boston Celtics the NBA’s longest active winning streak, and the defending champions appear to have regained some consistency.
That’s just what the Dallas Mavericks are still seeking.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Celtics -9.5 point spread favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 58% of more than 232 bets for this game have been placed on the Celtics -9.5.
The Celtics will look for their eighth straight victory when they host Dallas on Sunday at the TD Banknorth Garden, as the Mavericks try to finish their four-game road trip at 3-1.
Since a 2-7 stretch from Dec. 25-Jan. 9 knocked Boston from atop the Eastern Conference, the Celtics (36-9) have won seven straight, including each of the last five by double digits.
None was more impressive than their 90-80 win at Orlando on Thursday night, as they snapped the Magic’s seven-game winning streak while holding them to a season low in points. The Magic had averaged 114.3 points in their previous six games, but they shot just 38.2 percent against the Celtics.
"Defense is our staple," said Paul Pierce, who led Boston with 27 points and 10 rebounds. "All year long, regardless of what the offense does, we’re going to depend on our defense night in and night out."
The Celtics have also been relying on fast starts lately, jumping out to 30-point halftime leads in wins over New Jersey and Phoenix before a dominating win over Miami on Wednesday. They led that game by 19 after the first quarter, and a similar formula worked against Orlando, which trailed 44-36 at halftime.
The Mavericks (25-18) will likely have to avoid such a start if they hope to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 21-2 this season.
It’s already been a roller-coaster road trip for Dallas, which began it on Tuesday by snapping Philadelphia’s seven-game winning streak before losing by 34 to Milwaukee the next night. But the Mavericks rebounded from their most lopsided loss this season with Friday’s 112-91 win over Detroit.
"It was a disappointing loss the other day but a big win tonight," Dirk Nowitzki said. "We need that confidence when we go to Boston on Sunday to play the world champions."
Dallas has had problems with defensive consistency, allowing the Bucks to shoot 57.8 percent from the field after opponents made more than 51 percent during the Mavericks’ four-game losing streak earlier this month.
Nowitzki also leads a potent offense. He had 26 points against the Pistons, matching his season average – his highest since the 2005-06 season, when Dallas reached the NBA finals.
"When they play well, they’re really good," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told the team’s official Web site. "(Nowitzki) makes big shots, he’s a matchup nightmare every night. … He still is a great three-point shooter but he’s playing more on the post and in other areas now."
Nowitzki scored 31 in Boston on Jan. 31, but the Celtics posted a 96-90 win. They also won 94-90 in Dallas on March 20, sweeping the season series for the first time since 1993-94.
This game will be Jason Kidd’s first in Boston since rejoining the Mavericks, who acquired him in a trade with New Jersey last season. Kidd had a rocky relationship with Celtics fans while with the Nets, who eliminated Boston from the playoffs in 2002 and 2003.
The veteran point guard is averaging 15.5 points, 8.8 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his last four games.
"I thought he really set the tone," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said Friday, after Kidd had 11 points and 10 assists in the win over Detroit. "His playmaking was huge and we’re using him a lot more in playmaking situations."
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Posted: 1/25/09 3:35AM ET