After several days of rest without a match, following the exceptional cancellation of the match against Golden State on Saturday, the Mavs welcome the Celtics (back-to-back) for one of the evening's posters. Kyrie Irving, but especially Luka Doncic (9 points, 7 rebounds in the first quarter) quickly came into the spotlight, with a pass behind his head for a 3-pointer from Josh Green in particular. But, opposite, Jayson Tatum keeps watch with 13 points to pick up the score at the end of the period (26-24).
The Celtics gradually took the lead in the second quarter, like Jaylen Brown who put Luka Doncic in the air before finishing from mid-distance. The gap increases to ten, then to fifteen behind 11 points from Jaylen Brown over the period. But Tim Hardaway Jr. responded with 15 points to allow Dallas to stay within a respectable distance at the break (65-59).
Jaylen Brown air-conditions the room
The Irving – Doncic duo attacked again in the third quarter but the C’s kept their advantage behind their own duo, Brown – Tatum. Who plays very cleanly at 9/15 and 9/16 respectively when the two Mavs are less effective (8/21 for Luka Doncic for example). Well in place and determined to mark the occasion, the Celtics race in the lead, imperturbable (94-83).
Luka Doncic scores his first 3-point shot of the evening, and goes for a basket with forceps on the baseline against Jaylen Brown. He did it again from afar and gave some hope to his audience by coming back under ten points five minutes from the end. But Jaylen Brown cools the room with a 3-pointer, plus the bonus shot. The Mavs' return will remain too short against the two Boston stars (119-110).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on metronomes. Facing Irving and Doncic, the two Celtics superstars took up the challenge with relish, showing themselves to be much more skillful than the two Texans. Tatum was the first to strike, with 13 points in the first quarter before finishing with a very good 39 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, all at 11/21 on shots. Behind, Brown was also particularly inspired with 34 points on 13/22 shots. In comparison, Doncic and Irving finish at 21/50 combined…
– Luka Doncic waking up too late. He could roll his eyes after scoring his first 3-point basket of the match… in the last quarter, Luka Doncic had a very frustrating evening. Lacking address from afar, and victim of shock treatment from the Celtic defenders who took turns on his back, he nevertheless knew how to revive his team five minutes from the end by scoring 13 of his 33 points (plus 18 rebounds and 13 assists) in the last quarter. A wake-up call, and a triple-double maousse, too late.
– An evening without for the “oldies”. After his 32 points the day before in Houston, Kristaps Porzingis was finally in civilian clothes for his annual visit to Dallas. It's been two years since the Latvian pivot played against his former team. On the other side, Grant Williams was on the boards, but for an evening to forget with 2 points in 18 minutes… and a big counter from Tatum on one of his 3-point attempts!
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
