In Cleveland, we love suspense and unlikely heroes. After Max Strus, author of a miracle basket against the Mavericks, it's Dean Wade who put on his savior costume with a 4th quarter which has already entered the legend of the franchise. While the Cavaliers were trailing by 22 points, the shooter caught fire: 20 points in the 4th quarter on 7 of 7 shots, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range. An almost copy and paste of Max Strus' performance, and it's Dean Wade who scores the winning basket. On a flip flop!
“The circle seemed so big to me. It was like a swimming pool! » laughs Dean Wade, author of 23 points, his career record. “It’s a great feeling. It's like your head is calm and the circle seems huge. That's all I can tell you. »
Under the eyes of Jason and Travis Kelce, excited, and facing the undisputed leaders of the NBA, Dean Wade signs his best career game, and he is the symbol of a team that never gives up. Already deprived of Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus, JB Bickerstaff's players lost Evan Mobley during the match. And yet, they overthrew the Celtics in the last quarter.
“It’s simply the nature of players to never give up” explains the Cleveland coach. “Obviously we've had situations where we've been short-staffed, where we've been at our lowest levels and it seems like every time that happens, someone finds a way to step up and help. help us win. Our guys don't give up. The dynamic began, the public mobilized, the shots began to fall. »
Trust and conviction
Incidentally, JB Bickerstaff emphasizes the qualities of Dean Wade, who is not just a shooter according to him. “He’s a multi-faceted player. He is not only a great shooter. We know what he can do defensively, and tonight it was on offense that he shined. Deep down, Dean Wade is driven by this confidence and conviction. »
For Jaylen Brown, the Celtics underestimated their opponents, and they were punished.
“That's what happens when you don't match the energy on the other side, and you don't push a team away… Hats off to Dean Wade! It was hot, but we should have won that game. We hadn't really seen a team turn around a game like that. We had a losing mentality. We had the game in hand, and it shouldn’t have happened…”
| Dean Wade | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 12 | 6 | 69.2 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 63 | 19 | 43.1 | 36.6 | 76.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 6.0 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 51 | 19 | 45.6 | 35.9 | 66.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 5.3 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 44 | 20 | 41.2 | 35.4 | 65.2 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 4.7 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 51 | 20 | 40.3 | 38.9 | 81.0 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 5.1 |
| Total | 221 | 19 | 43.1 | 37.0 | 71.9 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 5.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
