Spurs-Mavericks Preview
(AP) - Rajon Rondo wants another ring and knew it probably wasn't happening anytime soon with the rebuilding Celtics.
When Rondo was on his way to Dallas with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, the four-time All-Star point guard serving as the centerpiece of a five-player trade, championship talk dominated the conversation.
The Mavericks believe they've acquired a key piece to their title hopes in Rondo, who is expected to make his Dallas debut Saturday night against a likely weary San Antonio Spurs team following another triple-overtime defeat.
"To be a contender right away, there's a goal that you have in mind and I'm dying to get a ring again," Rondo said at his introductory news conference Friday. "I want another parade."
The ninth-year player got his first with the Celtics in 2008, and now Rondo is joining 2011 champs Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler as part of the nucleus of a Dallas team trying to win another title.
Rondo and center Dwight Powell were acquired Thursday for center Brandan Wright, forward Jae Crowder, point guard Jameer Nelson, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a second-round choice in 2016.
Although he has his lowest scoring average since his 2006-07 rookie season at 8.3, Rondo is averaging an NBA-best 10.8 assists while ranking in the league's top 15 with a 3.16 assist-to-turnover ratio.
He's joining a Dallas team that already leads the league with a 1.96 ratio.
"I view Rondo as an extremely resourceful guy with a lot of ability," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's a guy that loves winning."
With the addition of Rondo, the Mavericks (19-8) hope to be even better offensively while improving on the defensive end. They're averaging a league-best 110.1 points following Wednesday's 117-106 road win over Detroit.
Chandler Parsons finished with a season-high 32 points, while Monta Ellis added 25. Parsons has hit 20 of 34 from 3-point range in his past five games for Dallas, which has shot 25 for 55 from beyond the arc while winning its last two.
The Mavericks, though, have allowed 107.0 points per game over their past 13. Rondo has a reputation as a solid defender and his 1.7 steals per game are one of the league's highest marks among point guards.
Now he'll try to help Dallas snap a 10-game regular-season losing streak in this series after San Antonio (17-10) pulled out a 101-100 home win in the season opener. Tony Parker had 23 points in that meeting, but he may not get to oppose Rondo after missing seven of the past eight games with a strained hamstring.
Kawhi Leonard is also questionable after sitting the past two games with a torn ligament in his shooting hand.
It's possible more players may be rested after the Spurs suffered their second straight triple-overtime loss Friday, 129-119 to visiting Portland. They're on the verge of dropping four in a row for the first time since a six-game skid late in the 2010-11 season.
"It's different every night (with the injuries), so it keeps them out of rhythm and we are wearing some guys down," coach Gregg Popovich said. "Timmy (Duncan) is a big worry in that respect and so is Manu (Ginobili)."
Duncan certainly isn't showing it, averaging 22.4 points and 13.4 rebounds over his last five games after scoring a season-high 32 on Friday. Danny Green, who scored 27, has totaled 52 points while hitting 13 of 22 from 3-point range in his past two.
It was the first time a team played consecutive triple-overtime games since the Baltimore Bullets in December 1951.