The Boston Celtics dropped another home game, this time to the Dallas Mavericks. It’s a pattern that’s becoming all too familiar – sloppy play after returning from a road trip. The game started off well enough, but things quickly unraveled.
Klay Thompson got hot early, dropping 10 points in the first quarter. The Celtics’ defense struggled to contain him, and turnovers began to pile up. Seven turnovers in the first quarter led to 10 points for the Mavs, while Dallas only coughed it up twice for no points.
Jayson Tatum had a particularly rough night, missing several layups in the restricted area. These misses proved costly, not just in terms of points left on the board, but also in transition opportunities for the Mavericks. As Joe Mazzulla often says, a missed layup can be as damaging as a live ball turnover.
The second quarter saw a more balanced attack from the Celtics, with Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jaylen Brown all contributing. However, Thompson continued his hot shooting, dropping another 13 points.
A Tale of Two Benches
The Celtics’ bench struggled mightily for most of the game. Spencer Dinwiddie (22 points), Max Christie (15 points), and Naji Marshall (20 points) torched Boston’s second unit. It wasn’t until garbage time that the Celtics’ bench made a run, cutting a 24-point deficit to the final margin of seven.
This loss drops the Celtics to 16-10 at home, a concerning trend for a team with championship aspirations. While it’s frustrating for the home fans, it’s worth noting that the playoffs don’t feature the same multi-city road trips that can lead to these letdown games.
Torrey Craig Signing
In more positive news, the Celtics signed veteran wing Torrey Craig during the game. At 34, Craig brings defensive prowess and solid shooting to the roster. He’ll likely become a regular part of the rotation, potentially helping in matchups where the Celtics need to go small.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ struggles and the Torrey Craig signing, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
• Brad Stevens’ pre-game comments on the trade deadline
• Analyzing Jayson Tatum’s minutes and potential need for rest
• The impact of missed layups on transition defense
