DALLAS, TEXAS — Saturday evening brought back memories of the NBA Finals as the Dallas Mavericks faced the Boston Celtics, falling to a 122-107 defeat.
In their last matchup, the Mavericks struggled early, with their largest lead reaching just three points in the first quarter. Unfortunately, this game saw a similar pattern, as Boston quickly asserted control. Dallas initially jumped to a 10-point lead in the opening quarter, fueled by the energy and contributions of Spencer Dinwiddie and Daniel Gafford, but the Celtics mounted a strong comeback.
Head Coach Jason Kidd emphasized rebounding as the team’s primary focus ahead of the game, addressing a key weakness from their previous meeting. Despite Dallas’ defensive efforts, Boston capitalized on 15 offensive rebounds to turn the tide in their favor.
In the postgame press conference, Coach Kidd shared his thoughts on the performance, acknowledging areas for improvement. “When you give Boston 15 offensive rebounds and the three-point advantage, it becomes a three-versus-two battle. We’ve got to be better. This is a good game for us to learn from,” Kidd stated.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with an impressive stat line of 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum delivered 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, leading Boston’s well-rounded effort.
The Mavericks will remain at home as they prepare to welcome the Washington Wizards on Monday night, looking to bounce back from this loss.
