Celtics, Mavericks square off in Dallas

Basketball Betting Lines

02/12/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics play their final game before the All-Star break on Thursday when they resume a lengthy six-game road trip in North Texas against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Celtics, who sport three All-Stars in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, opened the trek with an 89-77 win in the Big Easy on Wednesday. Pierce had a game-high 30 points in that one as Boston topped New Orleans, which continued to struggle even with the return of star guard Chris Paul.

Garnett added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 19-7 on the road for the season. Eddie House and Leon Powe added 12 and 11 points, respectively, off the bench for Boston, which has won two of three.

It wasn't all good news for the C's, however. Allen hyperextended his right thumb in the game. X-rays came back negative and the veteran said he would try to play against the Mavericks.

"Early in the game I was underneath, I think it was (Kendrick) Perkins. My hand got caught in his jersey," Allen said of his injury. "I popped off and I caught the ball and then I couldn't even catch the ball (later) because it kind of jammed all of the way down. As I was running I was trying to yank on it. I tried to hold it in as the game went on. When I tried to catch the ball, I couldn't hold on to the ball."

After the break, the Celtics will finish their trip with visits to Utah, Phoenix, Denver and the LA Clippers.

The Mavs, meanwhile, improved to 2-0 on a four-game residency on Tuesday when Josh Howard and Antoine Wright each scored 23 points to lead Dallas to an easy 118-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Dallas continued its dominance over Sacramento at home. The Mavs have won 10 straight over the Kings in north Texas.

Dirk Nowitzki added 21 points for the Mavs, who have won six of their last seven outings. Jason Kidd ended with 15 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists. Jose Juan Barea finished with 10 points, while Erick Dampier had nine points and 16 boards.

The Mavs were without star guard Jason Terry, who had successful surgery on his left hand Monday. Terry, the team's second-leading scorer (19.9 points a game), broke his left hand against Chicago over the weekend and is expected to be out three to six weeks.

Dallas, which is 17-7 at American Airlines Center, has won 10 of the last 11 at home and will finish the residency after the All-Star break against New Jersey.

Boston has won three straight over Dallas, including an easy 124-100 win in Beantown on January 25. The Mavs have topped the C's in 11 of their past 13 trips to Dallas, however.

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