Opposing defenses have a habit of leaving Rajon Rondo open on the perimeter and the Celtics want their point guard taking those shots.

Rondo missed an open three-pointer in the final seconds of a loss to Dallas on Monday night, but Boston still wants the young guard to be more confident with his jumper.

"He's wide open," forward Paul Pierce said. "He was open two or three seconds before he even took it. We were begging him to shoot it. Hey, we'll take that, a wide open look. Rondo, he's showed he can make those shots, especially under pressure situations. I take it. I told him after the game, I'll take that shot."

Rondo's jumper has improved since he entered the league, but it's still a work in progress.

"The options were all taken away and I was open and I took the shot," he said. "I was open, so I am going to take it if they give it to me. I got a lot of confidence in it. I thought it was good. I got my feet set, got a good look."