On the eve of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, it’s time to look back at the two regular season matchups between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. If Celtics fans want good news, the Celtics won both matchups to sweep the season series.
The first game was on January 22 where Boston beat Dallas 119-110 in enemy territory. It was the Celtics second game of a back-to-back. Boston got a combined 73 points from their stars Jayson Tatum (39 points) and Jaylen Brown (34) to overpower Dallas.
Dallas was led by a monstrous triple-double from Luka Doncic (33 points, 13 assists, and 18 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (23 points).
Thanks to the “stay ready” group, the Celtics took the lead in the second quarter outscoring the Mavericks 41-33 and their bench unit to lead 65-59 at halftime.
The talking point in the half, and even the game, was Jaylen Brown’s crossover that floored Luka Doncic.
After the play, the highlight was a talking point on social media because the Mavs in-arena broadcast team decided to show a replay of the crossover on their jumbotron.
Brown finished the half with 17 points while Tatum led the team with 18 first-half points.
Boston carried the momentum in the second half, as Brown all game showed his improved handles creating space for his trademarked midrange fade.
The Celtics led by 11 going into the fourth quarter, and didn’t let the Mavs find a way back in.
Boston shot 46.6% from the field, and 15-of-46 (32.6%) from deep, while holding Dallas to 44.3% from the floor and 35% from the arc.
The Celtics also had a significant advantage at the free throw line attempting 30 (making 22), compared to Dallas shooting just 14 free throws.
The second meeting was in March and the Celtics beat the Mavs 138-110. Just like the first meeting, Luka Doncic had a great individual night going for 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists but similar to the first result, the Celtics team game prevailed over Luka magic.
Boston’s starting lineup plus Horford and Pritchard all reached double figures and showed yet again it’s a team sport.
The ball was moving (proven by Boston’s 32 assists) and every player found its zone to work in.
Although the Celtics won by 28, the game wasn’t a blowout from the start. Boston led by seven at halftime (66-59), but in the third quarter, the Mavs cut the lead to two points (79-77) with 6:34 left in the third. Then Tatum showed why he’s one of the best players in the world.
Tatum scored 16 of his 32 points in the third quarter giving Boston a 102-90 lead. To start the fourth, the C’s blitzed the Mavs and didn’t look back.
Tatum (32 points), Brown (25), Porzingis (24), White (13), Horford (12), Holiday (11), and Pritchard (10) led the way for Boston in an ultimate team performance.
As scary as it sounds, maybe letting Luka do his “Luka Magic” might be the secret to the Celtics bringing home Banner 18. Albeit a small two-game sample size, when Luka went off the Celtics relied on its depth to score points and kept every-one fresh by taking turns scoring the ball. Hopefully, the Finals end up just like the regular season: a Boston sweep.
