Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) will not play vs. Celtics

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BOSTON – The Boston Celtics may have caught a break on the injury front with the Dallas Mavericks being without the franchise’s greatest player ever, Dirk Nowitzki.

The 7-foot perennial All-Star will miss his fifth straight game, having played in just three this season. 

“He’s not going to play,” said ex-Celtics guard Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Mavericks. “He worked out this morning hard. He’s getting closer but he’s not there yet.”

With Nowitzki out of the lineup, it has meant more playing time for former Celtic Dwight Powell who is averaging 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field. 

“At the end of the day, once the season starts it’s all about winning games,” Powell told CSNNE.com. “I’m trying to do whatever I can with whatever opportunities I have to reach that goal of winning as many games as possible.” 

In the three games Nowitzki has played this season, he’s averaging just 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds while shooting just 35.9 percent from the field. 

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