In essentially the most anticipated Celtics-Mavericks matchup of the yr (OK, possibly not fairly), Dallas discovered a means in an entertaining Summer season League showdown Friday evening.
The Mavericks constructed an early lead and withstood a number of Celtics runs to earn a 101-90 win in Las Vegas.
It might not have carried fairly the identical weight because the NBA Finals, nevertheless it did give loads of up-and-coming contributors an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a grand stage.
With Jaden Springer, JD Davison, Neemias Queta and Drew Peterson all out, the Celtics (2-2) gave a number of gamers some prolonged run. Six Celtics scored in double figures, led by Jaelen Home with 18 factors and 9 assists, nevertheless it in the end wasn’t sufficient.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (22 factors) and A.J. Lawson (21 factors) paced the Mavericks (1-3), who shot 50.7 on the night.
Home and Ron Harper Jr. had been vivid spots within the first half, working in tandem to burn the Mavericks from in and out.
Baylor Scheierman (15 factors) drilled a 3 to tie it at 9 early. After a Mavericks flurry, Harper Jr. hit a 3 of his personal to slice the deficit to 23-16. TJ Clark buried one ultimate 3 for Dallas on the buzzer, serving to the Mavericks take a 30-22 edge into the second.
The Celtics moved the ball comparatively nicely, racking up six assists, however in addition they turned it over six instances in a uneven quarter.
After the lead ballooned to 13 early within the second, Killian Tillie and Scheierman related on 3’s to trim it to eight. Home, who performs with the identical ardour and swagger as his father, Eddie, received a leap ball to arrange a Harper 3. He then added an and-one, on a artful hesitation transfer, however as soon as once more, Boston allowed a 3 within the ultimate seconds.
Dallas took a 55-45 edge into halftime behind 12 factors from Prosper. The Celtics didn’t register a single steal, Jordan Walsh shot 0 for six from 3-point vary and Anton Watson was 1 for five from the ground.
Regardless of the Celtics’ total sluggishness and sloppiness, with 11 turnovers, they discovered themselves down 10 and nicely inside placing distance.
Walsh turned it up a notch within the third, hustling to arrange a Tillie 3. Watson added a silky easy submit transfer, Walsh attacked the basket and Home drilled a 3 and hit the Mavericks with a celebratory shoulder shake.
Dallas nonetheless led, 76-69, by way of three, however the Celtics had momentum on their facet.
The Celtics narrowed the deficit to 83-78 on a Watson putback, then Dallas prolonged it to double digits as soon as once more. Each time Boston made a push, Dallas responded to remain forward.
The Mavericks then pulled away within the ultimate minutes. The Celtics at the moment are formally eradicated from semifinal competition and can play yet one more sport this weekend.
