Celtics @ Mavericks

The Celtics tip off against the Mavericks tomorrow night at 8:30.

While we have seen Jayson Tatum struggle on offense, I would think the Mavs should be concerned with Luka.

His 23.9 PPG is down from last year when he averaged 27.7 PPG. His shot has been in the tank (career low 42% from the field) and a Tatum like 25.4% from deep on 7.9 attempts. We all saw the unbelievable logo shot from him the other night but that is just 3 points.

Kristaps Porzingis has missed 5 straight games with a lower back ailment and his status for tomorrow's game remains questionable.

Their expected starters are:

Doncic, Hardaway Jr. Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dwight Powell. Reggie Bullock may also start instead of Brunson. However Brunson dropped 31 in their last game so pencil him in.

The Mavs have a 5-3 record with one quality road win in Toronto. Otherwise they do not look impressive at all.

I see no reason why we cannot make it 3 in a row on the road and get back to even board (5-5) on the season.

The Mavs are offensively challenged while scoring only 101.1 PPG.

If the Celtics can let go of the euphoria derived from their first signature win and stay focused on the task at hand, we should be in good shape.

We may be without Jaylen so someone will need to step up. The logical fill in will be Josh Richardson since he played with them last year and should have a good feel for their roster. Not sure about the foot issue though.

Stick with the 2 big lineup and pound on them.

It is very important that Boston takes the roadmap that produced B2B stellar defensive efforts and replicates all the great things that they were able to do. We can ill afford any slippage.

Jayson Tatum is way overdue for a big game.

Like the late Michael and the boys say      “I’lll be therrre”  

If we morph into a gritty fast defensive team that flies all over the place with backcourt and wing pressure that would be fine with me. What I noticed against Heat was how much more athletic we are than them at every position. Starting with 2 J’s we are probably more athletic than 90% of all the teams out there. Now if Udoka can figure out how to use AN, Romeo and JRich and not keep them glued to the bench, to let them contribute and keep J’s fresh for the long haul; with 2 good defenders sharing the point in the Menace and Smart, we might really have something. One can only hope.

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
yesterday
Celtics Injury Report vs. Dallas (11/6): Jaylen Brown - Right Hamstring Tightness - OUT Josh Richardson - Left Foot Contusion - QUESTIONABLE


Bob
MY NOTE:  A golden opportunity for Nesmith. Golden.


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Luka has been as cold as Tatum

Let's hope he stays cold tonight! I have to say, at time, it cannot be fun playing with him. As great as he is, his teammates must get a little sick of hardly getting their hands on the ball. But I guess, all great players are the same way.

I am surprised they did not trade the big guy over the summer. I am talking about Porzingas(sp)

I know BobC will jump on me for this, Luca is his guy

I'm interested in one thing and one thing only...how impactful was the team meeting. Does it carry? Does it have weight?
That's it. We win tonight in total dominating fashion, I'm very interested and see a very bright, immediate future. A loss against a team we should run out of the gym...I've seen that last year too many times to remember (or forget) I'll still interested but not as much as I would be with a solid 3-game win streak.

db

RosalieTCeltics wrote:Let's hope he stays cold tonight!   I have to say, at time, it cannot be fun playing with him.  As great as he is, his teammates must get a little sick of hardly getting their hands on the ball. But I guess, all great players are the same way.

I am surprised they did not trade the big guy over the summer. I  am talking about Porzingas(sp)

I know BobC will jump on me for this, Luca is his guy

I hope Luka goes for 47 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds tonight………….in a losing effort!  Love watching him play though haven’t seen him this year, guess he and many others have seen their scoring down.  I think the refs letting them play more aggressive D has a lot to do with it, the new basketball maybe a small factor.  Regardless, he ain’t my guy when playing the Cs!!! All other nights yes!