Mavericks’ hot shooting torches Boston in Finals rematch, Celtics lose 127-120

After a tough fought win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics got here dwelling for a Luka-less NBA Finals rematch in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks. Nonetheless, even with Dallas being short-handed, the Celtics weren’t in a position to overcome their scorching taking pictures, shedding to the Mavericks 127-120.

Jaylen Brown led the best way for the Celtics with 25 factors nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to cease Klay Thompson who dropped 25 factors on 11-17 taking pictures (3-6 from three). The Mavericks bench additionally got here up enormous as Spencer Dinwiddie scored 22 factors and Naji Marshall scored 20 factors. Dallas’ bench got here up enormous for them, outscoring Boston’s bench 49-15 earlier than the Celtics put within the reserves. The Celtics allowed the Mavericks to shoot 56% from the sector and 46% from three

Boston shot the ball properly however turnovers on the worst potential occasions ended any probability of creating a comeback. That is the third time the Celtics have misplaced the primary sport at dwelling coming off of an extended highway journey.

Just like Sport 1 of the NBA Finals, Kristaps Porzingis opened the scoring for Boston with free throws and a 3 pointer. The TD Backyard crowd boo’d Kyrie Irving when he touched the ball however the Mavericks have been in a position to begin off on 12-4 run.

Klay Thompson was scorching early as he scored 10 factors on 4-5 taking pictures (2-2 from three) within the first 4 minutes of the sport. Derrick White would counter with 8 straight factors for Boston however Spencer Dinwiddie fired again with 8 straight factors for Dallas.

Turnovers have been an actual drawback for the Celtics within the first quarter as they turned the ball over 7 occasions resulting in 10 factors for the Mavericks and a 32-23 lead for Dallas. The Mavericks shot 54% from the sector and scored 14 quick break factors to the Celtics 0.

Klay Thompson continued to gentle up the Celtics, scoring 9 straight factors for the Mavericks to begin the second quarter as an 11-2 run led to a fast timeout from Joe Mazzulla. That didn’t decelerate Dallas’ offense nevertheless as Boston’s lackadaisical protection and lack of rebounding was an enormous drawback. The Mavericks bench was additionally a difficulty as behind Spencer Dinwiddie’s 15 level half, Dallas scored 27 factors off of the bench.

Boston went on a 10-4 run to finish the primary half together with a Derrick White buzzer beater however have been nonetheless down 67-56 on the half. White led the Celtics with 13 factors however the main scorer was Klay Thompson who scored 23 factors on 10-13 taking pictures (3-5 from three) within the first half. Boston shot 48% from the sector and 50% from three however they allowed Dallas to shoot an absurd 59% from the sector and 44% from three.

The third quarter began with one other Thompson basket as Dallas began the second half on a 10-2 run as their scorching taking pictures continued. The Mavericks began to drag away as they opened up a 21 level lead on the Celtics however Boston tried to comeback.

Kristaps Porzingis tried to affect the group as his sequence of a poster dunk on Daniel Gafford, an and-1 layup, and an ideal tip for a Kornet layup minimize the deficit to fifteen factors. Nonetheless, Naji Marshall hit again to again photographs to kill the Celtics momentum as turnovers continued to kill Boston.

The Mavericks continued to out shoot the Celtics as they scored 37 factors within the third quarter to take a 104-83 lead going into the fourth. Boston allowed Dallas to attain 54% from the sector and 50% from three within the quarter. The Mavericks bench was additionally dominating the Celtics, outscoring them 44-10 via three quarters.

The fourth quarter began similar to the opposite three quarters as although the Celtics began scoring, the Mavericks continued to make the whole lot. Boston basically waived the white flag on the 9:27 mark of the fourth quarter as Drew Peterson, Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh checked in.

Nonetheless Boston’s subs began to make this a sport. The went on a 22-5 run to chop a 27 level deficit to an 10 level deficit. Sadly the keep prepared group couldn’t make an immaculate comeback because the Celtics lose to the Mavericks.

The Celtics subsequent sport is on Saturday February eighth at 8:30 in opposition to the New York Knicks.