After ending with 20 factors, 6 rebounds, and three large blocks in his return, Kristaps Porzingis mentioned, “I can add extra.”
Thursday night time was a robust efficiency for the Celtics of their 107-89 blowout of the Mavericks in Recreation 1 of the Finals. Luka Doncic had a formidable double-double (30 factors and 10 rebounds), however for probably the most half, Boston held Dallas in examine with simply 9 assists — Doncic had only one — and 7-for-27 from behind the arc. Gone had been these lob dunks and nook threes that ended up burying the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kyrie Irving scored simply 12 factors on 31.6% capturing. Dereck Full of life III had only one bucket and 5 fouls.
And but, there’s a scary, prevailing sentiment heading into Recreation 2: the Celtics may be even higher.
When requested in regards to the staff’s protection on Doncic, Jaylen Brown mentioned flatly, “it’s a full staff effort. Luka Doncic nonetheless had 30 and 10. Gotta do a greater job.” It’s onerous to think about being any higher in opposition to the second-place vote getter in MVP voting. The obtrusive stat was his single help in Recreation 1 with Boston not often sending a number of our bodies at Doncic and staying dwelling on his teammates. Nonetheless, there are areas of enchancment heading into Sunday.
Clearly, there’s Jayson Tatum. For probably the most half, he was stable defensively and completed a +19, however that received’t cease the critics from pointing to his 6-for-16 capturing and 6 turnovers. Kendrick Perkins, love you, large man, however let’s not make this a factor.
After an analogous 7-for-17 in a loss to the Cavaliers, he shot eerily an identical video games in Cleveland capturing 11-for-25 (2-for-8 from behind the arc, 9-for-9 on the free throw line) in each Video games 3 and 4. It’s a very good guess that he’ll keep aggressive and have a giant bounce again in Recreation 2.
Within the common season, the Celtics lead the league in turnovers at slightly below 12 per recreation. They solely had 12 TOs in Recreation 1, however so lots of them had been of the boneheaded kind. Misplaced handles within the paint. Loafing passes up 20+. Dallas scored 13 factors off these giveaways. With the Mavericks packing the paint, Boston ought to be capable of preserve their turnovers within the single digits.
Boston had a good sixteen triples in Recreation 1. That’s been par for the course all through the playoffs with a postseason-high of twenty-two in Recreation 1 in opposition to the Warmth. Nonetheless, they hit 20 or extra in fifteen video games within the common season and received all fifteen. They had been 27-0 after they hit 18. Once more, with Dallas promoting out and defending the rim, you get the sense that there’s a breakout recreation on the horizon.
To wit, after going simply 4-for-23 in opposition to Cleveland and Indiana, Sam Hauser broke out of his stoop and hit 2-for-3 final night time, including to Boston’s +27 from 3. It’s all a operate of Mazzulla Math and will have been a lot worse. Boston shot fourteen nook threes to Dallas’ three. Jason Kidd vowed to restrict the Celtics open threes and this was simply a mean output.
In the long run, Joe Mazzulla was pleased with how his staff responded to the Mavs’ 22-9 run that minimize the lead from 19 to eight to open the third quarter. However whereas it’s all the time a recreation of runs, let’s not try this once more, OK? It felt much less schematic and extra human nature. With three wins left to a championship, that focus must get even sharper.
As Brown says, “each recreation has its personal story.” All season, the Celtics haven’t skipped steps and brought each recreation severely.
