Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics Friday Night NBA Pick

Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics Friday Night NBA Pick: Dallas going to Boston to play the Celtics is a big time conference crossover game. The Mavericks are looking healthy and big up front and the Celtics have gotten most of their rotation back, with Kendrick Perkins getting back from his surgery in late January. Dirk hasn’t been the same guy since his return to the Dallas line-up, but he will be a key cog in this one, as his ability to hit shots outside will almost certainly extend the Celtics’ defense to a place they aren’t so comfortable. The question may be if the old man, Jason Kidd, can run around with the younger, faster version of him, Rajon Rondo. That will be key.

Despite a couple hiccups here and there (and those always happen during an 82 game NBA season), these two teams have been playing great basketball of late. Boston played like garbage on a stick against Phoenix a week ago, but they quickly turned it around and are getting healthier headed into the second half of the season. Dallas has won 6 straight, including a big win at New York on February 2nd. The Mavs, like the Celtics, are also getting healthy for the 2nd half, and with Dirk stretching the floor and Tyson Chandler playing like a mad-man down low, the Mavs might give the Celtics all the size match-up they can ask for.

The Mavericks have each of their last 3 games by 10 points or more, and the Knicks and Hawks aren’t bad teams at all. Boston is lights out at home, but it’s really tough for me not to go with the Mavericks and 6 points – so I’ll take them.

I like Dirk pulling KG out of the key and opening up some new holes in the Celtics’ team defense. That should make the difference and get the Mavericks the cover.

Dallas Mavericks +6 @ Boston Celtics (ESPN) (2/4)