Celtics Fall to Mavs

Despite a 50-41 halftime lead, the Celtics were a different team in the second half. The Mavericks outscored the C's 58-40 after the break and that was the difference in the game. Paul Pierce opened up the second half with a three to make the score 53-41, but the quarter would end with the Celtics trailing 75-68 as the Mavs shot 80% in the third. The closest the C's would get to the Mavs the rest of the way would be four points.

Dirk Nowitzki (37 points) and Jason Kidd (17 assists) picked apart the Celtics D while the offense became slow and predictable as the game progressed.

• Paul Pierce had 24 points (9-17 shooting, 2-4 from three) and played 35 minutes despite questions about his knee coming in after he hurt it in practice the other day. Pierce played well into the fourth quarter without sitting in the second half, but was subbed out and didn't play the rest of the game despite the team's best effort to come back.
• Rasheed Wallace returned to the line-up after missing three games with a foot injury. He scored 11 points and missed all four of his three point attempts.
• Ray Allen had 21 points and was an efficient 9 of 15 from the floor. He nailed 2 threes and added 4assits.
• Kendrick Perkins had 14 points (7-10 shooting), 12 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. These lines are becoming the norm for Big Perk.
• Rajon Rondo had 7 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, a block, and 2 steals. He nailed a couple of jump-shots and continues to improve in that aspect of the game.

The Celtics are in a funk to say the least. They have lost 4 of their last 6 and since their Christmas day win in Orlando, they have dropped 7 of 11. KG has missed 9 straight games and the team is sorely missing his defensive presence and post offense. Doc Rivers is holding out hope for a Friday return, but it appears to be wishful thinking. Hopefully they can get him back before Monday's tilt versus the Lakers.

Next game is at Detriot on Wednesday night. These are not the Pistons of past years as they have battled injuries and sit at the bottom of the East with a 14-26 record.

NOTE:

• Celtics announcer and former player and coach Tommy Heinsohn was honored at halftime with the first Chuck Daly Achievement Award for contributions to coaching which honors the late great NBA coach. Good for Tommy.