Mavs Moneyball - Gameday: Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston CelticsRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2017-02-13T22:00:23-06:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/143618252017-02-13T22:00:23-06:002017-02-13T22:00:23-06:003 things as Celtics finish off Mavs, 111-98
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<img alt="NBA: Boston Celtics at Dallas Mavericks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/--Ais7Qd_Uf45nkXFSeso-Y08Rk=/0x689:1510x1696/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53231229/usa_today_9876189.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was close for a while...</p> <p id="kBBzUs">The Dallas Mavericks wind things down as the All Star Break approaches, and faced a tough opponent Monday night in the red hot Boston Celtics, who had won 9 of 10 and showed why against the Mavs.</p>
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<p id="ipfv8e"><strong>TRIPLE FEVER HITS BIG D</strong></p>
<p id="2MkZxp">Both teams came out of the gate launching the longball, but unfortunately only the Celtics kept that hot shooting up all game long. Boston hit 16 bombs on 34 tries, good for 47%. The backcourt duo of Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart did most of the damage, combining for 48 points. A 17-5 run turned what was a very close game into a lackluster finish, as Thomas and the C’s saw blood and took advantage.</p>
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<p id="C0owYj"><strong>MAVS CONTINUE TO FINISH QUARTERS POORLY</strong></p>
<p id="OFbY4O">I already mentioned the late run that stretched Boston’s lead, but another real killer was the end to the first half, which saw the Mavs climb to within three before allowing 8 points in a minute, several coming on free throws, as Deron Williams argued a call and was ejected. Making matters worse, his replacement Yogi Ferrell pulled a Jason Terry and fouled Isaiah Thomas on a last second heave, sending him to the line for three freebies.</p>
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<p id="cegdpL"><strong>IT’S MORE FUN WHEN YOGI GOES OFF IN A WIN...</strong></p>
<p id="aFWSss">Despite that miscue, Yogi Ferrell had another stellar game(his first off the bench), scoring 20 points on 11 shots, and he did a respectable job chasing around Thomas on the perimeter. Seth Curry started the game but when he was blown up by more than one screen within the first few minutes, Carlisle pulled the trigger early and put Yogi in. Then Yogi started the second half following D-Will’s ejection. If the Mavs had managed to pull this one out, this might have the biggest starting controversy in Dallas since...eh, nevermind.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/2/13/14606462/3-things-as-celtics-finish-off-mavs-111-98Ian_Miller2017-02-13T18:30:01-06:002017-02-13T18:30:01-06:00GAME THREAD: Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
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<img alt="NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WQ0KrX0YoTTZFiRyNkNeMT22GJg=/0x0:2548x1699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53228085/usa_today_9682272.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Mavs should see a tough opponent tonight as Boston rolls into Big D.</p> <p id="IkYbbJ"><strong>WHO: </strong><a href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> vs. <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a></p>
<p id="OFV1K8"><strong>WHAT:</strong> Can anyone stop <span>Isaiah Thomas</span>?</p>
<p id="cFu9lD"><strong>WHERE: </strong>American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX</p>
<p id="Nj9rqw"><strong>WHEN: </strong>7:30 p.m. CT</p>
<p id="pGKm8U"><strong>HOW:</strong> FSSW or NBA League Pass</p>
<p id="3DVloE"><strong>THE STORY: </strong>The Mavs continue to get healthier, with <span>Deron Williams</span> back (though on a minutes restriction). And The Yogi Ferrell Experience continues, of course. The Celtics should be a good test for a Mavs team that suddenly finds themselves in a hunt for a playoff spot. Whether they can contain Isaiah Thomas, who has been fire in the fourth quarter lately, will be something to watch. </p>
<p id="K98e4B">Let’s go Mavs!</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2017/2/13/14603816/game-thread-dallas-mavericks-vs-boston-celticsRebecca Lawson2017-02-13T09:11:01-06:002017-02-13T09:11:01-06:003 things to watch as the Celtics face the Mavericks
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<img alt="NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jJEaOG2e6xvyxocaCD5TsgQtRKc=/0x0:3384x2256/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53218897/usa_today_9682183.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Isaiah Thomas has been a one-man wrecking ball. Can the Mavs stop him?</p> <p id="gQ6Ktb">The <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> come into town for their only game at the AAC tonight. The Celtics are playing well in general, having won 9 of their last 10, and are down only 2.5 games behind the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. In the prior matchup, the Celtics beat the Mavs in Boston 90-83 behind a 22-point <span>Isaiah Thomas</span> fourth quarter so we’ll start with our keys of the game there:</p>
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<strong>Can the Mavs build a nice cushion going into the </strong><strong>fourth</strong><strong>?</strong>
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<p id="KE7jJ7">Isaiah "Mr. Fourth Quarter" Thomas has become a legitimate MVP candidate over the last couple months. With the loss of his backcourt mate, <span>Avery Bradley</span>, his usage has lurched forward to 36 percent and the bottom line results reflect that. Thomas is currently the second-leading scorer in the league, between <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>James Harden</span>, while leading the league in scoring in the fourth at nearly 11 points, shattering the old record set by <span>Kobe Bryant</span> at 9.5.</p>
<p id="YFXUR5">In a complete groove, regardless of how the first three quarters go, IT40 is capable of turning the game on its head in the final stanza. As witnessed last time, Thomas took over with a 22 burst in the fourth, so the Mavs will need to pad it up going in the final quarter.</p>
<h4 id="VxRnmi"><strong>Will Deron Williams play more minutes?</strong></h4>
<p id="sNOm8S">On Saturday, Williams came back from an eight-game layoff due to a toe injury and got right back into action, looking very productive in 16 minutes. He was on a minutes restriction and sat out the second half as the game got out of hand in Orlando. The win helped D-Will earned some high praise from head coach <span>Rick Carlisle</span> on Sunday when asked why he’s starting over <span>Yogi Ferrell</span>:</p>
<p id="9c2z3f">"Because D-Will is a better player. Let's not forget how well he was playing before the injury. He was playing at close to All-Star caliber. ... Yogi's done a great job. The role he had tonight is a perfect role for him."</p>
<p id="Z7ZnEg">Yogi’s role was to be off the bench sparkplug and he played 32 minutes in that role. With another two days off and a more competitive game, we’ll see if Williams’ minutes restriction loosens a bit. Expect the minute distribution to be more even if the game is close.</p>
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<strong>Our o</strong><strong>ld friend </strong><span><strong>Jae Crowder</strong></span>
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<p id="x32LFR">Crowder has been a quiet efficiency monster in Boston, getting eerily close to a 50/90/40 season as he shoots 49/89/42 on the year. He has missed the last two games due to personal family issues and it’s not quite known if he will play tonight yet. He has been in Dallas so there’s a chance. If he does, his matchup with <span>Wesley Matthews</span> and <span>Harrison Barnes</span> will be a delight as Crowder is one of the toughest defenders in the league. If he doesn’t play, look for <span>Jaylen Brown</span> and <span>Terry Rozier</span> to pick up his minutes at the forward positions.</p>
<h4 id="YMUGin"><strong>How to watch</strong></h4>
<p id="HXz5ZJ">Tip-off is set for 7:30pm Central. You can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest or via your League Pass account.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/game-coverage/2017/2/13/14596902/boston-celtics-dallas-mavericks-game-preview-time-channelMichael Chang