In a blink of an eye, forward P.J. Washington aimed for a three-pointer, seeking to edge the Dallas Mavericks ahead by one point against the Boston Celtics with just over five minutes left in the third quarter. However, within moments, the Celtics surged ahead by 21 points, sealing a decisive 138-110 victory on Friday night at TD Garden.
A barrage of three-pointers from the Celtics, coupled with critical missed shots by Dallas, proved to be the Mavericks’ downfall. The game served as a test of the Mavericks’ ability to compete against one of the NBA’s top teams. Ultimately, the Celtics, now 47-12 overall and 28-3 at home, showcased their dominance on a national stage, demonstrating why they are considered one of the most formidable teams in the league.
This is the best team in the NBA,” Mavs point guard Luka Doncic said in describing the Celtics. “I think we played great for three quarters, but it’s tough to win here, especially against this team at this point.”
The watershed moment for the Mavs came when they were trailing, 81-79, and – with a chance to take the lead for the first time since the first quarter — Washington missed a three pointer. From there, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum drilled back-to-back three-pointers and Boston was off to the race.
Former Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis scored back-to-back baskets, but an offensive rebound and put-back by Al Horford, along with a three-pointer by Tatum, extended Boston’s lead to 102-90 by the end of the third quarter.
Shortly after, the floodgates opened as Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Horford each drained three-pointers, pushing the Celtics’ lead to 127-103 with 3:55 remaining in the game.
In this pivotal matchup for Dallas, the Mavericks fell short, concluding their four-game road trip with a 1-3 record. Their overall standing dropped to 34-36 as they prepare to face the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center on Sunday at noon.
“They remain composed,” commented Kidd on the Celtics’ performance. “They don’t feel pressured. They’ll stick to their style of play and continue sharing the ball.”
“It’s uncommon in this league to encounter a team with five shooters,” remarked a Mavericks representative.
The Celtics demonstrated their prowess by shooting 55.3 percent from the field and making 21 out of 43 three-point attempts, boasting a 48.8 percent success rate.
“They’re an impressive team,” stated Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II, who contributed 15 points and two steals. “I believe every player from one through nine can knock down threes.
“Facing off against a team like that is challenging. We made a concerted effort to limit their three-point attempts and make their shots as difficult as possible.”
Former Mavericks center Kristaps Porzingis propelled the Celtics forward by scoring 13 of his 24 points in the first quarter, including four three-pointers. He concluded the game shooting 8-of-14 from the field, with a 4-of-8 performance from beyond the arc.
“Porzingis possesses a multifaceted skill set,” noted Kidd. “He’s proficient in shooting from long range, driving to the basket, and drawing fouls. Defensively, he’s a shot-altering presence and an adept rebounder.”