BSJ Game Report: Mavericks 95, Celtics 92 - Another late dagger ends C's win streak

Everything you need to know about the Boston Celtics loss to the Dallas Mavericks with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

This was not what one would call a pretty basketball game. Maybe it’s appropriate for the two best defensive teams since January 1, but neither team could get into any kind of flow the whole game. Things fell apart in the third quarter, when the Celtics defense gave up 38 points, but Boston still had a late five-point lead. Once again, though, Dallas tied it up and then Spencer Dinwiddie hit the game winner.

Box Score

HEADLINES

Why does this keep happening?: I mean, I guess it’s good that it wasn't Luka Doncic this time. When Dinwiddie’s 3-pointer fell, I said “of course he made that,” Because Boston just can’t escape last-second losses to the Mavericks. 

Make/Miss league: The Celtics were 2-9 and 0-3 from 3 over the last 5 minutes. Dallas was 4-7 and 3-5 from 3. There were some makeable shots in there for Boston and some tough ones in there for Dallas. 

TURNING POINT

Doncic’s 3-pointer against Robert Williams tied the game at 92 with 1:21 left. That really set the stage for Dinwiddie’s heroics. Boston had given up on blitzing Doncic as much as they had earlier in the game and Doncic burned them with a big shot on the switch.

SECOND GUESS

I think Boston doubled Doncic a little too much. He was clearly not 100%, and he even left the game early on to deal with whatever was bothering him. Boston should have forced him to prove that he was actually healthy and able to beat people off the dribble. The Celtics were too slow rotating behind the blitzes, and it burned them.

Dorian Finney-Smith ended up the beneficiary, finishing with 19 points on 7-11 shooting (4-7 3pt). 

ONE UP 

Al Horford: He gave Boston its best chance of winning. He opened the game with some strong post ups and peppered in some great defense the rest of the way. 

Honestly, Al is the only guy who had a legitimately good game. Jayson Tatum had 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists but shot 30%. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart had their moments, but certainly struggled at times as well.

THREE DOWN

Derrick White: 2-10 shooting, 0-4 from deep. Boston’s bench only pitched in 18 points, 5 from White. He needs to be better. 

Grant Williams: He’s in a shooting slump now. He’s 1 for his last 14 from 3. 

Everyone in the third quarter (including the officials): “Our third quarter was obviously not good enough. Held them to 38 in the first half and they got 38 in that quarter,” Ime Udoka said. 

The Celtics were extraordinarily frustrated with the officiating, on top of their own defensive miscues. Dallas shot 10 free throws in the quarter and Boston didn’t draw a foul until the 3:18 mark,

“We were both driving and I ended up getting a technical,” Udoka said. “I felt like they were bucking heads back and getting some calls that we didn't get.”

TOP PLAYS

THREE TAKES KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- When the ball doesn’t move, the Celtics don’t win

It’s been a month and a half since the Celtics finished a game with fewer than 20 assists. They had 16 in this one, dropping them to 4-8 when they can’t get to 20. I think we’re starting to see too many bad habits creep back in. 

The Celtics tend to get into trouble when they go mismatch hunting. I know it’s tempting to go after Jaylen Brunson, but the Celtics aren’t good when the whole offense stalls to watch guys go after individual mismatches. 

- Dallas’ defense is pretty good

The Mavs are the second best defense since January 1, behind Boston, and it showed. They aggressively doubled Jayson Tatum and showed hands and got into passing lanes. The Celtics finished with 11 turnovers to Dallas’ 17, but the Mavs got 16 points off Boston’s turnovers versus 13 for the Celtics. The live-ball turnovers they forced turned into critical scores. 

- Missed opportunity

This was a winnable game that could have moved them into a tie fourth in the East. Instead, they stay alone in fifth and they're heading out for a tough west coast swing. This is a critical road trip coming up where the team will be truly tested. The rest of this month will be tough. Losing this game is one of those that they may regret later.