Game 43: Boston Celtics (34-10) vs. Dallas Mavericks (24-19) 119-110 loss

[ThisIStheYear]

A lot of empty stats for Luka tonight. Worst plus minus on the team. Was a defensive sieve. Mostly, his defense consisted of trying to nock the ball out of the player blowing by him. It’s not a consistently successful defensive approach. He’s not the only Mav who relies on it. Kidd’s defensive schemes did Luka no favors leaving him in unfavorable matchups all night against quicker players. It’s a miracle he didn’t foul out. The ref swallowed the whistle a few times. Tatum dominated with excellent two way play. He scored 39 and was a defensive demon. All in all, I had low expectations. Jason Kidd is the coach.

And on offense, it seems the Mavs are out of the top 10 in offensive efficiency now. A Rick Carlisle team with Luka at PG would be number 1. Mavs have now lost two straight non competitive games after a decent homestand. They need the next two badly or risk falling out of the playoffs. I see shades of last year’s failed season.