Despite a terrible shooting evening, the Celtics prevailed at TD Garden 105-98 over the Mavericks and flew to Texas with the wind at their backs: the Slovenian’s triple double wasn’t enough, game 3 on Wednesday
Simone Sandri
June 10, 2024 (changed at 11:33) – BOSTON (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
Boston finds a way to win a game in which he shoots terribly from long range (10/39) and has to live with Tatum’s offensive problems (6/22 from the field). Bad news therefore for the Mavericks who despite Doncic’s courageous performance (triple double for the Slovenian, 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists) also lost in game 2 105-98. The Celtics take a 2-0 lead with the series now moving to Texas, game 3 scheduled for Wednesday.
k0 again
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A completely different start for Dallas who constantly looks for one-on-ones from Doncic, and partly also from Irving, finding a series of baskets in the first minutes. On the other hand, however, Boston struggles to find rhythm, the triples don’t come in and Tatum fights with the basket. Doncic plays in good and bad weather, a couple of very classy plays from Irving also arrive, the Mavs try to accelerate, also taking advantage of the offensive problems of the Celtics who remain in their wake thanks to the free throws. The entry of Porzingis once again helps the home team’s attack a lot. The Latvian finds good solutions, Holiday’s surprising production then makes Tatum’s bad shooting percentages less painful. The Slovenian continues to put on a show in the second quarter, also giving several comfortable shots to his teammates which however they don’t exploit, on the other side of the pitch however Doncic doesn’t even pretend to defend and Dallas ultimately pays the price. Coach Mazzulla manages KP’s minutes sparingly in the first half, Boston is unable to get back on track from long range but with the penetrations and shots of Tatum, who recorded eight assists in the first half, and the aggressiveness of Holiday, he takes the lead and leads by three points at the break. The 23 points from a super Doncic are not enough for the Mavs, Boston, despite shooting 3/15 from three and with a less than precise Tatum from the field (2/9) goes into the locker room with the lead, definitely good news for the home team .
doncic alone
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Tatum tries to attack the basket in the third quarter, also finding good solutions, the shot comes in intermittently but the Boston player constantly undermines the Dallas defense. Holiday continues to produce and Doncic has to work overtime to keep a team afloat that can’t have alternatives to the Slovenian’s one-on-one because his teammates just don’t collaborate. The home team accelerates halfway through the third period, moving the ball very well in attack and with a quick 12-2 they reach +12. The moment is very delicate for Dallas who, however, finds a way to respond, returning to -6 at the end of the half. However, on the mermaid comes the cold shower for the Texan team. Pritchard finds an impossible triple from a sidereal distance, bringing the Celtics back to +9. Doncic is exhausted, Gafford and Washington try to lend a hand but Irving just can’t find any rhythm in attack, Tatum and Brown keep Boston at a safe distance, then with triples from an excellent Holiday and White the home team reaches the +14 at 3’34” from the siren, it seems done but Dallas throws his heart over the obstacle and scores the 9-0 run that you don’t expect, giving shivers to the crowd at the TD Garden. Washington on the counterattack would also have the possibility of incredibly bringing the Mavs back to -3 with 50″ to go but White’s splendid block, in collaboration with Brown, takes the chestnuts out of the fire for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown’s layup then finally brings the curtain down on the match.
Boston: Holiday 26 (9/10, 2/4, 2/2 TL), Brown 21, Tatum, White 18. Rebounds: Holiday 11. Assists: Tatum 12.
Dallas: Doncic 32 (8/12, 4/9, 4/8 TL), Washington 17, Irving 16. Rebounds: Doncic 11. Assists: Doncic 11.
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