BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — After a hot start, but not so hot finish the Mavericks pulled out a close win against the Celtics 113-108.
The duo of Doncic and Porzingis was nothing short of amazing in the first quarter. Kristaps Porzingis finished the first quarter shooting 42% from the field scoring 9 points and 3 rebounds with 1 coming on the offensive end. Doncic knocked down all 4 of his shot attempts and drained 2 of his signature step back three point shots finishing the first quarter with 11 points. It was a solid defensive effort from the beginning and although Doncic and Porzingis were having solid respective nights, the remainder of the team found a way to get it done in the hustle column. Dorian Finney-Smith was a nuisance on the boards rebounding the ball 5 times (3 def reb, 2 off reb) and knocked down 1 shot from beyond the arc.
What stood out mostly was how well they defended and how well they performed on the offensive end. The perfect balance is hard to achieve, but Dallas played as balanced as a team could play on the road. The Mavericks finished the first quarter shooting 50% from the field, 42% from three and closed out the first quarter with a 30-25 lead.
It was a slow start for both teams entering the second quarter going scoreless within the first two minutes. The Mavericks snapped the dry spell after Trey Burke knocked down a three pointer from 25 feet out and got the Mavericks back on track. Burke’s three point shot was followed by another two consecutive three pointers from Dorian Finney-Smith and newly acquired Nicolo Melli which led to the Mavericks lead increasing to 9 points midway through the second. The Mavericks have found ways to score at a high clip beginning after losing two games back to back this past weekend. Dallas finished the first half leading 64-45 shooting 52% from the field and close to 50% from three.
The Mavericks converted on 50% or more of their shots for seven straight quarters which is a season first for the Mavericks who have struggled at times to find their offensive rhythm, and what better time to do it on the road against a eastern conference playoff team like the Celtics.
The efficiency bled through into the third quarter and the Mavericks continued to apply pressure. Kristaps Porzingis finally showed up to the party and scored his first basket since the first quarter to open the third. Porzingis scored 10 points in the third quarter and converted 50% of his shots from the field with two of those shots coming from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic got it going as well, converting on 63% of his shots from the field, securing another 30 point game for the season. Dallas finished the third quarter with a 90-73 lead maintaining their double digit lead they established well into the second quarter.
Dallas played well enough through three quarters to roll you would think, but a well coached team like the Celtics are a team that can’t be taken lightly.
Entering the fourth quarter the Celtics dug themselves out of the pit they dug themselves into and found rhythm on the offensive end. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kemba Walker all played a part in the Celtics resurgence. Boston connected on their first 4 shot attempts from the field entering the fourth quarter which helped them establish a run and bring the game to within 7 points halfway through the fourth quarter. The Celtics continued to force the issue on the defensive end forcing the Mavericks to commit 9 turnovers in the fourth quarter and reduced their lead to just 2 points after the Mavericks led most of the game by double digits. The Celtics were a moment away from stealing this game on their home floor, but Dallas found a way to secure the win after Jalen Brunson connected all 4 of his free throw attempts at the right time. Luka Doncic finished the game as the leading scorer with 36 points and Jalen Brunson finished with 21 points off the bench.
After losing two games consecutively to end the week, the Mavericks have played a well balanced brand of basketball. Dallas is on the tail end of their rigorous schedule and in the month April they will have their share of home games, but first they will have to find a way to win two more times on the road in New York and in D.C.
