3 thoughts following Dallas slips and falls in Boston after falling between 105 and 98
Kirk Henderson@KirkSeriousFace
10/06/2024
The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Boston Celtics in Boston on Sunday night, losing 105-98. Jrue Holiday led another balanced Celtics scoring effort, putting up 26 points. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks in defeat with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Despite the questionable health status for Doncic the Mavericks got their game underway by scoring in a flurry. Doncic hit the bottom of the court three times in the first quarter scoring six points just before starting the Celtics timeout around the eight minute mark, with the Mavericks ahead 13-6. The Celtics were forced to play in the bonus in the first quarter due to the over-zealous Dallas defense. However, the Mavericks held the lead throughout the quarter, despite the turnover issue. The earlier foul issues brought on problems for the Mavericks however because the Celtics were on the defensive frequently. The final scoring flurry from Kyrie Irving was a big help in ensuring Dallas take a 28-25 lead after just one quarter.
Doncic was unstoppable in the beginning of the second quarter however, as did Boston. The 9-0 Celtics run during late in the period provided the Celtics an advantage of three points. The mistakes of Boston caused Dallas getting the lead back. They traded lead throughout the remaining time until the Celtics gained a lead late thanks to a pair of Brown free throws, followed by the Holiday three-pointer. Dallas responded with an Daniel Gafford dunk and trailed 54-51 at halftime.
Dallas was the first team to start the second half with a goal of scoring baskets for Gafford in the post-up, and Washington with the floater. The Celtics held a lead of two to four points throughout the period. Dallas scored, however, only for Boston to counter. Boston began to take control during the second half of the quarter, but Dallas role players were unable to make any connection on any shot. As a result it was, the Celtics were ahead twelve points. However, Dallas took the initiative and cut the deficit to six points, only the Celtics’ Peyton Prichard to hit a banked three from 35 feet right at the buzzer. Dallas trailed 83-74.
The Mavericks couldn’t be stopped from dying. Both teams traded baskets however, Dallas was unable to break in the gap for a long stretch. The combination of a Gafford shot as well as an Irving layup trimmed the deficit to seven points and resulted in the need for a Boston timeout. Each time Dallas ran and the Celtics were able to respond as the Celtics lead increased to 12. Again, the Irving connection to Gafford led to the Celtics reducing their lead to eight, and the Celtics forced a timeout with the clock at 4:40. But after securing a stop, P.J. Washington made a terrible mistake in halfcourt, grabbing his dribble. He was unable to make a move. Celtics made a mistake, and hit the three. Irving missed a second shot and Boston hit another three and Dallas lost 14 points in only two games. Dallas came back by launching an 8-0 run that brought the score to six with 75 seconds left. Washington had the chance to further cut into the lead with a quick move, however the referees didn’t see an obvious push at the back, which resulted in an unintentional Boston blocking.. Maxi Kleber got lost when he attempted to block the following Brown drive, and the game was effectively ended. Boston has the lead in the series 2-0 with the score of 105-98.
The margin of error is not enough to account for the number of Dallas mistakes
There’s going to be a lot of angst in Dallas regarding the absence of a penalty for Washington during that fast-break drive with just 50 seconds remaining. But, Dallas made so many mistakes that contributed to the gap that it’s difficult to determine what to do next. Doncic and Irving were both responsible for 10 devastating errors (one of which blamed on Washington, and the reckless play at halfcourt that led to the way to back-to-back Boston threes). Dallas missed eight free throws during a game which was decided by seven points. Ten Celtics offensive rebounds resulted in 10 second-chance points. And that’s not even including the terrible three-point shooting of all players other than Luka Doncic. Dallas must improve his game.
Everybody who’s not named Luka Doncic must perform better
A jerk in the comments is likely to claim that Luka must be more defensive and not throw into the other side of the field. Okay, okay, have I’m saying it’s okay?
Are there anyone else Mavericks be present for more than 4-5 mins for a period of time? There’s an endless list of players that we can complain about, as the majority of Maverick has been disappointing in one way. Kyrie Irving was a mess in the last game. He should be ashamed because he played horrible again. with 28 points and 13-37 on the floor, and 0-8 from three points in two games. Dereck Lively must settle his game. Josh Green, these shots are wide, wide and open. Maxi Kleber, a coast-to-coast layup attempt? What layer of the multiverse would that be acceptable? There are probably many more, but how did that game? I’m stunned by the way they played.
This was the game you wanted to take away and it could be a recurring theme for players of the Dallas Mavericks for a long time
The Celtics shot 10-39 in three games with just a tiny bit less than 25 percent. The game was to steal, and the Mavericks could not make it happen due to the errors mentioned earlier. I’m really bummed. They had a shot, but they failed. I’m sure they’ll come up with a way to bounce and come back stronger, but the hill they’ll have to climb is too steep to be possible.
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