The Dallas Mavericks misplaced 122-107 to the Boston Celtics on Saturday, because the Mavs protection may by no means maintain Boston in examine, particularly behind the arc. The damage bug hit Dallas once more able of want, they usually have been overmatched on this NBA Finals rematch. It wasn’t a real rematch with out Luka Doncic and Derek Vigorous II, amongst many others, however there was sufficient to know what went proper and what did not.
Boston solely has Dallas’ quantity. Their mixture of flooring spacers, defenders and playmakers has been an issue for the Mavs over the previous 12 months, which is a part of why Dallas desires extra perimeter defenders and frontcourt versatility. They could have to hunt a commerce quickly because of accidents, and that is the place we start the three takeaways.
READ MORE: Three-point barrage carries Celtics previous Mavericks in NBA Finals rematch, 122-107
Maxi Kleber broke his foot throughout Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Celtics, that means the workforce’s beginning, third and fourth-string facilities are all out for an prolonged interval because of damage, assuming Dwight Powell is not coming again anytime quickly. Mix that with the accidents to everybody else on the roster, and it is simple to see why some analysts have began calling this the “Season From Hell” workforce. Luka Doncic might be again earlier than the All-Star break, however they can not afford to play him till he is in the most effective form he is been in since final season.
Everybody is aware of the Celtics wish to make a whole lot of threes. They lead the NBA in three-point shot makes an attempt and have bigs like Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, who can stretch the court docket, making protection very tough for a lot of groups, particularly Dallas. The Celtics shot 20/52 from three on this recreation, 17 of them making baskets following an help. They only managed to dribble in, collapse the protection and kick out threes at any time when they needed. Seven completely different Celtics had a minimum of three assists, together with Luke Kornet with FIVE.
Daniel Gafford’s identify was introduced up in commerce rumors simply two weeks in the past because of his poor play. However in his final 4 video games, throughout which era he has been the principle heart, he has averaged 19 PPG, 11.8 RPG and three.5 BPG whereas taking pictures 65.9% from the ground. He performed extraordinarily properly, and now the aim shall be to discover a strategy to complement him as an alternative of supplant him.
READ MORE: Mavs’ Maxi Kleber breaks foot in opposition to Celtics
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