Mavericks Practice Report (03/19/10)

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Mavericks prepare for the Celtics' invasion

(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks don't believe in referring to games with the NBA's perennial playoff powers as "statement games." But there's no question that Saturday's home contest against the Boston Celtics is a measuring stick for the squad from Big D.

The intensity level at the Mavericks' Friday practice reflected the magnitude of the matchup. Although a 99-90 win over the Celtics in Boston on Jan. 18 made a loud statement to the entire league, the Mavericks want to send yet another message: That was no fluke.

Still, the Mavs are shying away from calling their second matchup with the Celtics a benchmark game. That's because Mavs coach Rick Carlisle and the team view every game as a measurement. With his team concluding a four-game home stand, Carlisle says the second meeting with Boston is just another opportunity for the Mavericks to grade themselves against their own standards and expectations.

"(The Celtics) have gotten themselves healthy, healthier than when we played them last," Carlisle said. "They've made a trade and injected some new blood into their situation. They've been playing well and winning games pretty handily, so we know they're going to be a tough matchup.

"This is a team that is going to be tough, physical and they're going to play a playoff-style defense. And offensively they present a lot of challenges...It's a tough matchup, but it's an opportunity we look forward to."

Sixth man Jason Terry echoed his coach's sentiments, as basketball's most storied franchise enters the American Airlines Center.

"We've beaten them up there, but now I know they're going to remember that and come out here and play hard against us here at home," Terry said. "It's a big one. Any time you play against Boston, as you know their history and the story of their franchise, it's always a big game.

"They've got a great team over there. This is a team you could possibly face in the Finals, so we definitely want to come out and put together a good performance."

But Terry is also looking at the contest with the Celtics from a personal perspective. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year returned to action on Wednesday night in the Mavericks' 113-106 win over a shorthanded Chicago Bulls squad. Terry had been sidelined since undergoing facial surgery on March 5 to repair a fractured orbital bone on the left side of his face. He returned to score nine points on 4-of-10 shooting in just under 25 minutes.

Because of the injury, No. 31 has been forced to wear a custom-fitted protective mask. Saturday's game is just another opportunity for the sharpshooter to get used to his new head gear.

"It's a steady progression. I think I'll do much better in this next game, especially finishing the game. I pride myself on fourth quarter performance, and last game I went 0-for (the fourth quarter). So, this will be a much better performance for me hopefully against a tough Boston team," Terry said.

Terry and the Mavericks try to end their home stand with a 3-1 record when they host the Celtics. The game will appear on KTXA, airing at 8 p.m. CT. Tickets for the matchup are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.

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