Rondo hoping not to cry in return to Boston on Friday

It's only been two weeks since Rajon Rondo left the Boston Celtics, but after more than eight years together, that probably feels like an eternity.

Rondo will return to Boston as a Dallas Maverick on Friday in what should be an emotional game for the point guard, who helped the Celtics win a championship in his time there. Often stoic, Rondo is hoping to subdue some of his feelings when he hits the TD Garden floor.

"Hopefully I won't be too emotional," Rondo said, as relayed by Tim MacMahon of ESPN. "Try not to cry a little bit, but I'm very excited to go back. Those fans are amazing there. If I do (tear up), hopefully the camera isn't on me too much. I'm going to try to blink a lot."

Rondo won't be the only one with ties to Boston in his return, as Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle won a title with Boston in 1986.

The Mavericks are 4-2 since acquiring Rondo and have won three consecutive games. Rondo's been a big part of that, averaging 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in six outings in blue and gray, which is still a strange look considering how long he spent in kelly green.