03-31-2021, 11:35 PM
MAVS SURVIVE CELTICS COMEBACK IN BEANTOWN
This game looked to be a blowout through three quarters, but grew alarmingly close in the fourth. Dallas held on for a wire-to-wire win.
NOTABLE ITEMS
PERSONNEL. WCS (COVID protocols), Redick (heel), and Terry (personal) were out for the Mavs. None has a timetable for return, as far as we know. Langford, Ojeleye, and Thompson were missing for Boston.
GAME FLOW. Both teams looked engaged from the get-go. The Mavs built an 11-point lead, and ended the first quarter 30-25. Your boys took off in the second, and went into the interval with a 64-45 lead, fueled by a 24-point half from #77. Dallas led 90-73 when 36 minutes had ticked by. The fourth was a nearly unwatchable conglomeration of miscues and poor play by the visitors. The Celts were within 2 with 16 seconds left. Fortunately, the Mavericks held on, thanks to four made free throws from Brunson. Whew!
STATS. Our guys had an horrendous 17-shot deficit in FGAs, thanks in large part to 20 turnovers, which also cost them 23 points. They also missed 7 of their 25 FTAs. However, 49% shooting from behind the arc will usually get the job done, and 19 triples from the Mavs saved the day.
DFS. Doe had an outstanding game, playing steady defense for 40 minutes, and adding 11 points, 9 boards and 2 steals to boot. He was awarded the Defensive Player of the Game Belt for his outstanding work on Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 25 points, but took 24 shots to accomplish it.
RICHARDSON. Josh played long minutes (39), and recorded 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but had an inefficient offensive night (3-9 shooting for 8 points) and turned the ball over three times. He played the entire fourth quarter, scoring no points and committing two of his turnovers. Despite a decent line, I would say pretty meh, at best. I would be happy to make this a conversation point, if others have a different view.
DONCIC. Luka treated us to an outstanding offensive display, with 36 points on 11-15 shooting, including some VERY difficult shots. He also had 8 boards and 5 assists. In the fourth quarter, he exhibited an uncharacteristic slide, hitting only one shot and committing three head-scratching turnovers. However, he did keep the team together during the period, and from an overall game standpoint, was a joy to watch.
BRUNSON. Jalen had a phenomenal game, with 21 points on 8-10 shooting, together with 5 boards and 3 dimes off the bench. He was part of the clutch unit (starters, with JB in instead of KP), and was especially effective in the critical last few plays. A really good showing by the man from Villanova!
PORZINGIS. Interesting evening from KP. He had a pretty good stat line with 19 points (although on 6-15 shooting), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. I thought his first half was rather splendid, with an impressive impact on the defensive end.
He played only 2 minutes in the fourth quarter, as the Celtics went super-small, and KP, according to Rick, would not have been able to keep up with Marcus Smart and the other talented Boston smalls “coming at us 110 mph.” Carlisle put Kris in for a minute or two to give Maxi a blow, and said that Zinger was uncertain whether he should venture out there. The Bally crew (formerly FSSW) agreed that Rick made the right decision for this contest, but thought that KP is going to have to learn to deal with wings guarding him, as he can expect other teams to copy the Celtics’ approach. I have to say, it was unnerving for the Mavericks not to be able to punish the Celts with their size advantage down the stretch.
DEEP BENCH. Melli got another runout, this time being six minutes in the first and second quarters. He had a three, a rebound, and an assist. Green also got a cameo in the second, and recorded a missed shot and an assist. Melli and Green combined to miss three bunnies to open the second, but they’ll do better as time goes by.
CELTICS. This squad has been a little disappointing this season, largely due to absences generated by COVID and injuries. However, one always underestimates the Celtics at his peril, and after a putrid second quarter, they came back with all the fight they could muster. Tatum led the team with 25 points, Brown followed with 24, Walker had 22, and Smart put up 17.
OBSERVATIONS
Rick was surprisingly laudatory, congratulating his team for holding it together enough to withstand the Celtics storm at the end. He admitted that his men made some mistakes, but believes they will learn from those.
Boston made this one interesting, after all. It was one of the stranger games I have witnessed this season. After the Mavs looked so good in the first half, it was discouraging to see their fourth-quarter collapse bugaboo rear its ugly head. Taking KP out for most of the fourth was really bewildering me. I thought he must have picked up a knock. Although I guess we have an official explanation -- KP couldn't guard the small Celtics, I remain puzzled. My main concern after the match is what it portends for the future. If an opponent playing small means KP can’t be on the floor, I think that is a portent heralding few good things for the Mavs.
Well, anyway, it’s a win, so let’s be happy. The Mavericks face the Knicks on Friday, and new Mav JJ Redick is expected to be with the team, although not on the court yet. After telling Mavs Twitter on his podcast today to “Calm the F down,” lol, he indicated that he is in fact not laying out, but looks forward to playing with Luka, KP, and the rest of the his new teammates.
Next stop, Madison Square Garden!
This game looked to be a blowout through three quarters, but grew alarmingly close in the fourth. Dallas held on for a wire-to-wire win.
NOTABLE ITEMS
PERSONNEL. WCS (COVID protocols), Redick (heel), and Terry (personal) were out for the Mavs. None has a timetable for return, as far as we know. Langford, Ojeleye, and Thompson were missing for Boston.
GAME FLOW. Both teams looked engaged from the get-go. The Mavs built an 11-point lead, and ended the first quarter 30-25. Your boys took off in the second, and went into the interval with a 64-45 lead, fueled by a 24-point half from #77. Dallas led 90-73 when 36 minutes had ticked by. The fourth was a nearly unwatchable conglomeration of miscues and poor play by the visitors. The Celts were within 2 with 16 seconds left. Fortunately, the Mavericks held on, thanks to four made free throws from Brunson. Whew!
STATS. Our guys had an horrendous 17-shot deficit in FGAs, thanks in large part to 20 turnovers, which also cost them 23 points. They also missed 7 of their 25 FTAs. However, 49% shooting from behind the arc will usually get the job done, and 19 triples from the Mavs saved the day.
DFS. Doe had an outstanding game, playing steady defense for 40 minutes, and adding 11 points, 9 boards and 2 steals to boot. He was awarded the Defensive Player of the Game Belt for his outstanding work on Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 25 points, but took 24 shots to accomplish it.
RICHARDSON. Josh played long minutes (39), and recorded 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but had an inefficient offensive night (3-9 shooting for 8 points) and turned the ball over three times. He played the entire fourth quarter, scoring no points and committing two of his turnovers. Despite a decent line, I would say pretty meh, at best. I would be happy to make this a conversation point, if others have a different view.
DONCIC. Luka treated us to an outstanding offensive display, with 36 points on 11-15 shooting, including some VERY difficult shots. He also had 8 boards and 5 assists. In the fourth quarter, he exhibited an uncharacteristic slide, hitting only one shot and committing three head-scratching turnovers. However, he did keep the team together during the period, and from an overall game standpoint, was a joy to watch.
BRUNSON. Jalen had a phenomenal game, with 21 points on 8-10 shooting, together with 5 boards and 3 dimes off the bench. He was part of the clutch unit (starters, with JB in instead of KP), and was especially effective in the critical last few plays. A really good showing by the man from Villanova!
PORZINGIS. Interesting evening from KP. He had a pretty good stat line with 19 points (although on 6-15 shooting), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. I thought his first half was rather splendid, with an impressive impact on the defensive end.
He played only 2 minutes in the fourth quarter, as the Celtics went super-small, and KP, according to Rick, would not have been able to keep up with Marcus Smart and the other talented Boston smalls “coming at us 110 mph.” Carlisle put Kris in for a minute or two to give Maxi a blow, and said that Zinger was uncertain whether he should venture out there. The Bally crew (formerly FSSW) agreed that Rick made the right decision for this contest, but thought that KP is going to have to learn to deal with wings guarding him, as he can expect other teams to copy the Celtics’ approach. I have to say, it was unnerving for the Mavericks not to be able to punish the Celts with their size advantage down the stretch.
DEEP BENCH. Melli got another runout, this time being six minutes in the first and second quarters. He had a three, a rebound, and an assist. Green also got a cameo in the second, and recorded a missed shot and an assist. Melli and Green combined to miss three bunnies to open the second, but they’ll do better as time goes by.
CELTICS. This squad has been a little disappointing this season, largely due to absences generated by COVID and injuries. However, one always underestimates the Celtics at his peril, and after a putrid second quarter, they came back with all the fight they could muster. Tatum led the team with 25 points, Brown followed with 24, Walker had 22, and Smart put up 17.
OBSERVATIONS
Rick was surprisingly laudatory, congratulating his team for holding it together enough to withstand the Celtics storm at the end. He admitted that his men made some mistakes, but believes they will learn from those.
Boston made this one interesting, after all. It was one of the stranger games I have witnessed this season. After the Mavs looked so good in the first half, it was discouraging to see their fourth-quarter collapse bugaboo rear its ugly head. Taking KP out for most of the fourth was really bewildering me. I thought he must have picked up a knock. Although I guess we have an official explanation -- KP couldn't guard the small Celtics, I remain puzzled. My main concern after the match is what it portends for the future. If an opponent playing small means KP can’t be on the floor, I think that is a portent heralding few good things for the Mavs.
Well, anyway, it’s a win, so let’s be happy. The Mavericks face the Knicks on Friday, and new Mav JJ Redick is expected to be with the team, although not on the court yet. After telling Mavs Twitter on his podcast today to “Calm the F down,” lol, he indicated that he is in fact not laying out, but looks forward to playing with Luka, KP, and the rest of the his new teammates.
Next stop, Madison Square Garden!