On paper, this duel between Boston and dallas was mouth-watering, given the forces on both sides. In reality, however, we witnessed (on the whole) a one-sided game, with Celtics long time light years away Mavericks (125-112).
Guided by a Jayson Tatum big nights (37 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists), the Massachusetts franchise honored its status as the best team in the league, leaving just no chance to Luka Doncic (42 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists) and others, who unfortunately put their noses in the window a little late.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Tatum/Doncic duel kept its promises. Both on track to compete for the title of MVP, along with a certain Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic put on a show and demonstrated why they were in the running to succeed Nikola Jokic. Throughout the game, they never stopped responding to scoring, accumulating baskets near the circle, halfway and 3-pts, each more difficult than the other, as well as free throws . Great, very great offensive basketball, punctuated by a great counter by Jayson Tatum on Luka Doncic, who will not fail to make the headlines highlights of the day.
— A one-sided first half. 54% on shots, 52% at 3-pts (11/21) and 85% on throws, for 18 assists, a big domination on the rebound (24-15) and 8 bullet losses caused. All in the wake of a Jayson Tatum with 23 points and 8 rebounds, with very good Jaylen Brown (13 points) and Derrick White (12 points) to support him. In short: it is an understatement to say that the first period clearly turned to the advantage of the Celtics, who counted up to 25 points in advance and who inflicted a real collective lesson on the Mavericks, too dependent on Luka Doncic and crushed either side of the field…
— Dallas Waking Up Too Late. Overwhelmed by their failed first half, the Mavericks spent the entire game chasing after the score. In the second half, they were squarely led by 27 points by the Celtics, until they finally decided to defend a minimum. Result: under the impetus of Luka Doncic and Christian Wood, Jason Kidd’s men have gradually nibbled away, returning to -9. But, starting from much too far, they could not go to the end of their comebackagainst such a solid opponent.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jaylen Brown. Certainly author of 31 points in 36 minutes, 13/18 on shots, the excellent performance of “JB” was however overshadowed by that of Jayson Tatum. Proof of the dantesque level of play of the latter. Nevertheless, the aggressive rear of Boston can be delighted with what he offered last night, in his own register. Without a solution against Tatum or him, the Dallas defenders therefore tasted the whole evening and we understand better why Luka Doncic thinks that the “Jay’s” probably form the best duo in the league…
✅ Christian Wood. Like all of his team, or almost, it took him a good half to get going but, once launched, “C-Wood” caused mayhem in the Celtics’ racket: 26 points and 12 rebounds (at 10/14 on shots)! Perfect lieutenant of Luka Doncic after the break, who was desperate for his help in the first period, the interior was the instigator of the comeback of the Mavericks, straddling the third and fourth quarters. An attractive performance, but which could have been more so, if he had been so efficient, aggressive and concentrated from the start.
⛔ The Dallas Defense. If we could have talked about the tasteless performances of Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell or Tim Hardaway Jr, we prefer to address the pitiful face displayed by the Mavericks, defensively. They who nevertheless ranked in the Top 5 of the most effective defenses in the league, before the game. Suffering from the repeated assaults of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and others, collectively to the point, Jason Kidd’s men never really knew how to slow down the Celtic tide and, consequently, they logically drowned on arrival…
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (14-4) : Sacramento reception, on the night of Friday to Saturday (02:00).
Dallas (9-8) : trip to Toronto, Saturday evening (11:00 p.m.).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
