(SportsNetwork.com) - Rajon Rondo will make his return to Boston on Friday night as the former All-Star leads his new team, the Dallas Mavericks, against his old team, the Celtics.
Rondo was traded to the Mavericks a little over two weeks ago and Dallas is 4-2 since the move. Rondo spent eight-plus seasons in Boston, winning a title, making four All-Star teams and leading the league in assists twice.
"I believe I'm going to get a great reception," said Rondo. "I gave it my all every time I went out there on the floor and played for the Celtics. It was a great opportunity to play for one of the best franchises in sports history.
"Those fans are amazing. I hope I won't be too emotional. try not to cry a little bit. I'm very excited to go back."
And the Celtics believe it's important to display respect and admiration for their former point guard.
"It's important for us that were teammates of his to acknowledge him," Boston head coach Brad Stevens told masslive.com. "I think that's really important ... He did a ton for this organization and this community, and I'm certain that it will be an emotional night for everybody."
Since the deal, Rondo is averaging 13.2 ppg and 7.8 apg for Dallas, which has won three straight, all at home.
On Tuesday, the Mavericks slaughtered the Washington Wizards, 114-87.
Monta Ellis led six Mavericks in double figures with 20 points in the Dallas win. Chandler Parsons, Charlie Villanueva and Richard Jefferson all scored 14 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 13 for Dallas. Rondo added 11.
All 13 active Mavericks scored at least two points.
The Mavericks, who own the league's best offense, have scored at least 102 points in five straight games.
Dallas will play the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets on this short road swing.
The Celtics ended a four-game slide on Wednesday afternoon with a 106-84 home win over the Sacramento Kings.
Stevens seemingly settled in on a new rotation with Evan Turner starting at the point guard and both rookie Marcus Smart and Jameer Nelson coming off the bench.
Turner tallied 10 points and 11 assists in the win. Jared Sullinger had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the C's, followed by Kelly Olynyk, who added 15 points off the bench for the Celtics.
Jae Crowder contributed 12 points and Smart chipped in 11 with the second unit.
The Mavericks beat the Celtics by five in Big D on Nov. 3 and have taken four straight and eight of the last nine in this series. Dallas is 4-1 in its last five in Boston.
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