It took little for Boston to continue its fine series and celebrate as it should Kevin Garnett, honored this Sunday evening at TD Garden on the occasion of the withdrawal of his number # 5. With the help of a Luka Doncic in diesel mode (26 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and a duo of Dinwiddie – Finney-Smith lieutenants who responded (18 and 19 points), it is finally Dallas who walked away with the win.
3-pointers from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, twice, as well as the application of Al Horford allowed Boston to take the lead in a rather poor first quarter, marked by the brief exit of Luka Doncic, visibly injured in the left thigh (20-18).
The Slovenian signed his return by replacing the Mavs in the lead (24-25), until Jaylen Brown finally warmed up the atmosphere, with a huge tomar on Maxi Kleber, all ahead of Kevin Garnett. Robert Williams III under the basket then Jayson Tatum twice then gave the C’s a 9-point lead (41-32), a gap they were able to maintain until the break, punctuated by a 3-point at the buzzer signed Spencer Dinwiddie (47-38).
With a trotting Luka Doncic and two 3-pointers from Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas managed to stay in the game (59-55) and even go ahead, the Mavs “stretch four” lining up five more points (62-63). The balance of power was reversed, and it was the Smart – Horford tandem who had to tear themselves away to respond to the Doncic – Brunson – Finney-Smith trio, up to Spencer Dinwiddie’s 3-pointers to complete the 3rd quarter -time in favor of the Texans (73-76).
It was the Celtics who started the last act best, with a 10-2 fueled by 3-pointers from Payton Pritchard and the lob of Derrick White for Robert Williams III (83-78). But Dallas was able to count on Luka Doncic to raise the bar and then equalize at 92-92 with his two stepbacks behind the arc before finding Spencer Dinwiddie for the 3-point winner (92-95), Jayson’s last attempt Tatum not finding the target.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Luka Doncic decisive on one leg. Already strapped before the game and visibly hit in the left thigh in the first quarter, the Mavs point guard took a little time to get back on the road after going back through the locker room. Over the second half, we found the real Luka Doncic until this almost perfect final punctuated by his two distant missiles and his service for Spencer Dinwiddie’s 3-pointer which sealed the Texas victory.
– A tribute tarnished by a defeat. The celebration in honor of Kevin Garnett will remain marred by this setback. Even if the Celtics have greened up since the start of 2022 and the outcome of the meeting has been undecided until the last second, it’s still a defeat, and it’s not necessarily the best introduction for the ” BigTicket”.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Luka Doncic. Far from being in top form, the Slovenian was still decisive in the “money-time”. In addition to his two 3-point baskets and his 8th assist, he was “clutch” asking for the challenge on the last whistle which could have offered three throws to Marcus Smart to equalize.
✅ Dorian Finney-Smith. The X factor of dating. Position 4 of the Mavs was in a good evening from afar and thus opened up opportunities towards the circle which he was able to exploit. Author of 13 points in the third quarter, and also present at the end, he will have been perfect in his role (19 points, 7/11 in shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 against).
⛔ The Brown-Tatum pair. Because the first was too clumsy (14 points at 6/16) and because the second had also accustomed us to better lately (21 points at 7/23 shooting). Jayson Tatum could have corrected the situation by equalizing at the last second, without success.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (41-28): the Celtics start a four-game road trip starting Wednesday night on the Warriors floor
Dallas (42-26): the Mavs continue their “road trip” Wednesday night in Brooklyn
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