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Celtics face tough test in Mavericks

Jan 31, 2008 - 1:54 PM Dallas (31-13) at Boston (35-8) 8:00 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics look to keep their perfect record against Western Conference teams intact when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday.

In building the NBA's best record, the Celtics have gone 6-0 against Western Conference foes. However, they have yet to face three of the West's elite teams in Dallas, the Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Lakers.

Unfortunately, Boston could be missing some key components on Thursday, as both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sat out Tuesday's 117-87 win over the Miami Heat. Garnett is struggling with an abdominal strain and has missed the past two games, while Allen sat out Tuesday with the flu. Both players are day-to-day.

The Celtics began the season 29-3 due in large part to a defense that ranks first in the NBA, allowing opponents just 88.2 points per contest. They are just 6-5 in their last 11 games.

Boston got season-high point totals out of Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Eddie House and Tony Allen in Tuesday's rout of the Heat.

Dallas has taken the opposite road this season, struggling out of the gate before turning it on in January. The Mavericks are 11-2 this month, and are currently riding a four-game winning streak.

They will come into this contest shorthanded as well, with point guard Devin Harris on the sidelines with a high ankle sprain and Jerry Stackhouse likely out again due to a nagging hamstring injury.

Dallas has won seven straight and 13 of the last 14 meetings between the teams.