Rondo will 'try not to cry' Friday in return to Boston

Rajon Rondo is bracing for an emotional return to Boston. It will come two weeks after Rondo, the four-time All-Star point guard who spent the first eight-plus seasons of his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs face the Celtics at TD Garden on Friday night, and Rondo wistfully looks forward to a warm reception from a crowd he called "one of if not the best fans in sports, period."

"Hopefully I won't be too emotional, try not to cry a little bit, but I'm very excited to go back," Rondo said. "Those fans are amazing there."