Mavs Fall Short in Boston, Drop Close Game to Celtics 138-110
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Mavs Fall Short in Boston, Drop Close Game to Celtics 138-110
The Dallas Mavericks (34-26) fought hard but ultimately ran out of steam in a 138-110 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics (44-15) on Friday night at TD Garden. Despite a valiant effort, the Mavs couldn’t overcome a Celtics surge in the third quarter that put the game out of reach.
Close Game Turns into Blowout
The game was tight throughout the first half, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ star point guard, continued his MVP-caliber season with a triple-double (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), but the Celtics countered with a balanced scoring attack.
The turning point came late in the third quarter. With the score tied at 79-79, the Mavericks had a chance to take the lead, but a missed three-pointer by P.J. Washington opened the door for the Celtics. Boston capitalized with a flurry of points, including back-to-back three-pointers from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and they never looked back.
Defense Struggles Down the Stretch
The Mavericks’ defense, which has been inconsistent at times this season, faltered in the second half. The Celtics were able to get open looks from three-point range, hitting 18 threes on the night. Kristaps Porzingis, the former Mavericks center, also had a strong performance against his old team, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Mavericks remain in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. They’ll need to regroup and bounce back quickly as they face a tough upcoming schedule.
Key Takeaways:
- Luka Doncic continued his impressive season with a triple-double, but it wasn’t enough for the Mavericks.
- The Celtics went on a scoring run in the third quarter that proved to be the difference in the game.
- The Mavericks’ defense struggled to contain the Celtics’ three-point shooting.
This loss is a setback for the Mavericks, but they’ll have a chance to bounce back in their next game. They’ll need to find a way to shore up their defense and get more consistent scoring from their supporting cast if they want to make a deep playoff run.
