TV: League Pass
- Expect a standing ovation tonight for Celtics guard Jason Terry, as one of the most popular players in Mavericks history returns to the American Airlines Center. Terry played eight seasons with Dallas from 2004-11 and ranks sixth in franchise history in points (9,953), seventh in assists (2,524) and fifth in steals (735). He was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2008-09 and helped Dallas win the NBA championship in 2010-11. “We know it’s going to be emotional for him,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “He’s either going to play really bad or really good. It’s usually one of those two things. I think it would have to be tough tonight for him because he loved it here, loves Rick [Carlisle], loves Mark [Cuban], loves the fans here. Just having him for the little time that we’ve had, you can understand why people like him.”
- Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said Terry deserves a warm welcome. “I played with five Hall of Famers in Boston,” he said. “Jet’s going to be in the Mavericks Hall of Fame. He may not make it to Springfield, but he’s going to be one of those guys like Derek Harper … one of the best players ever to maybe not ultimately make Springfield. His number’s going to be hung up in the rafters here and that’s a big deal. Trust me on that one.”
- Mavericks forward Shawn Marion returns to the lineup after missing eight games with a strained left calf. Dallas was 5-3 without their leading rebounder (7.9 per game), but were outrebounded by an average of 12.3 in those three losses. “He’s been working hard. I’ll have to watch him and maybe play him shorter stretches of minutes and we’ll see how it goes,” Carlisle said. “We need him back.”
- Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki did not play in the first meeting this season, a 117-115 double-overtime victory by the Celtics in Boston on Dec. 12. For his career, his 26.9 scoring average in 26 games against Boston is his highest against any opponent. Nowitzki has been hot lately, shooting 74.2 percent (23-for-31) over his last three games.
– Dave Ivey
